EXPRESS 88 bowed out of the Worcester Nursing Minor Cup to a good Bromsgrove side in an enjoyable and hard fought game after a battling performance on a pitch more suited to mud wrestling than football.

EXPRESS 88 FC 0, BROMSGROVE GENERAL RESERVES 2

Express just managed to scrape a side together as injuries continued to take their toll and the first forty five minutes could not separate the sides, the heavy conditions limiting both teams to very few chances in front of goal. Express lost Stacey Cole just before half time with a shoulder injury to further lengthen their casualty list and the reshuffle saw Mark Taylor drop to right back and sub Phil Smalley start his first outfield game of the season up front for the second half.

With mud holding up every pass it continued to be a scrappy but hard fought game until the hour mark when Bromsgrove took a well worked free kick to find the net and break the deadlock. Express didn't give up the fight and the tireless work of most, especially Rich Clack, Phil Leah, Steve Hill and Alan Preece, always meant they might level the game.

With two minutes remaining Express were caught by a counter attack and Bromsgrove settled the tie to progress to the next round with a well earned victory.

Express man of the match was Mark Taylor.

This Sunday Express are at home to Langland Sports, players meet 9.45am Victoria Park.