A BRILLIANT Bromsgrove Sporting display helped them cruise to a 3-0 victory over league leaders Needham Market, writes Max Banner.

Goals from Aaron Roberts and Finn Howell late in the first half gave the Rouslers the lead before captain Luke Rowe sealed the win from the penalty spot with three minutes remaining.

Before the kick-off, awards were made to goalkeeper Ollie Taylor to mark his 100th appearance for Sporting and to Gavin Blackwell who was presented with a salver to mark 1,000 matches as a physio at Bromsgrove and several other clubs at the same level or above.

Following the presentations, there was a one-minute applause in memory of Tom Rankin, the former Rousler who tragically lost his life two years ago.

Sporting started the Southern League Premier Division Central game brightly with Billy Shaw, Nathan Blissett and Howell all having opportunities on goal.

Up the other end, Seth Carroll-Chambers had a shot from inside the box blocked by the colossal Ben Richards-Everton.

The deadlock was broken in the 43rd minute courtesy of Roberts heading home a Howell corner with aplomb.

Shaw almost doubled the lead moments later but his effort was saved well by Marcus Garnham.

Bromsgrove would not have to wait long to get the second though as Howell looped a free-kick over everybody and into the net in the fifth minute of added time.

Needham's Luke Ingram saw a 77th-minute header fly just over the bar and it would be his namesake, Sporting skipper Rowe, who would score the game's third as he comfortably dispatched his spot-kick after substitute Keanu Cooper was fouled in the area.

Bromsgrove keeper Taylor had to be alert to superbly save strikes from Jamie McGrath and Oliver Fraser whilst Cooper almost added a fourth deep into injury-time but his shot was kept out by Garnham.

Sporting were hit by the departure of loanee Howell after the game as he was recalled by parent club Solihull Moors.

Now manager Tim Flowers' Bromsgrove travel to Coalville Town on Saturday before hosting promotion-chasing AFC Telford United on Easter Monday (both 3pm).

Sporting: Taylor, Derricott, Howell, Rowe, Richards-Everton, Roberts, Soladami, Abimbola (Leachman-Whittingham 61), Blissett, Shaw (Newell 74), Pais (Cooper 81). Unused substitute: Alamu.

Referee: Mr D Constable.

Sporting player of the match: Richards-Everton.

Attendance: 735.