BROMSGROVE Sporting have been drawn away in the Emirates FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday, September 28 with a rematch at higher-ranked Chelmsford City (3pm).
Goals from summer additions Jamie Meddows and Harry Crook guided Sporting to a 2-0 home victory over Bottesford Town in the second qualifying round last Saturday.
They played Chelmsford at this stage of the competition last year with a 2-2 draw in Worcestershire resulting in a replay two days later which the Essex outfit won 3-0.
Bromsgrove manager Paul Smith said: “We were obviously hoping for a home tie but that wasn’t to be.
"We travel to National League South Chelmsford as huge underdogs but I love that — we’ll go with a real freedom to express ourselves as a side and see what we can do.”
Sporting started brightly against Bottesford, writes Max Banner, with Ryan Snape hitting the woodwork with a free-kick before Theo Robinson sidefooted wide from inside the area.
Against the run of play the visitors were awarded a 33rd-minute penalty after Sporting keeper Charlie Price brought down Aris Cunha in the box.
Cunha stepped up to take the spot-kick but his mediocre attempt was saved by Price.
Bottesford were made to pay for that as four minutes later Meddows scored from close range after being teed up in style by Snape.
The Poachers almost levelled just before the interval but Price made a tremendous save from a headed effort before Cody Collins' conversion of the rebound was ruled out for offside.
The second-half action was brought to life in front of 575 fans with the introduction of Crook off the bench.
After being brought down in the area by keeper Graeme Anderson the lively winger calmly dispatched the penalty in the 77th minute.
The next cup opponents Chelmsford sit 16th in the league above with nine points from eight games.
After a winless six-game opening spell they won 5-1 at Maidstone United before beating Bath City 3-0.
Chelmsford are on a three-match winning streak in all competitions and in the last round of the cup won 2-0 at Tilbury.
Bromsgrove lost 2-1 at AFC Telford United in Southern League Premier Division Central last week with Crook scoring.
Smith's side resume duties in the competition on Saturday at home to St Ives Town (3pm).
They then entertain Redditch United in a county derby next Tuesday (7.45pm).
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