Morrison treble stuns Racing Club

A second-half hat-trick from Bromsgrove substitute Chris Morrison condemned Racing Club to a heavy defeat which once again underlined their defensive naivety.

Leading at the break though Ben Purser’s fifth-minute strike, Racers had looked well in control of the Midland Combination Premier fixture.

However, Morrison’s 67th-minute equaliser instigated a complete collapse in the visitors’ defence as they conceded three more in the space of ten minutes.

An Ed Kostiuk strike brought it back to 4-2, but any hopes Racing Club had of getting back into the game disappeared when Luke Wilson was sent off for a second bookable offence.

Sporting then added a fifth, with Morrison completing his treble.

Racing Club manager Curly O’Callaghan said hamstring pulls for Tom Cooper and Alex Unitt did not aid their cause but admitted he is beginning to sound like a broken record.

“The scoreline didn’t reflect the game but that’s football,” said O’Callaghan.

“We can’t keep shooting ourselves in the foot.

“I can understand the injuries, but I’m disappointed with Tom. However, he’s young and he’ll learn.”

Racing Club are on their travels again tomorrow when they visit Bloxwich before entertaining Dudley Town in the Birmingham Midweek Floodlit Cup on Tuesday night (7.45pm).

Town present a formidable challenge having dumped Southam out of the FA Cup earlier in the season, but O’Callaghan is hoping to bolster his out-of-form side with the return of Stuart Herlihy from injury.

“It’s a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “He’ll give us a lift in an area we need it and he’s an inspirational figure.”

 Racing Club’s reserves are at home to Fairfield Villa tomorrow in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Charity Cup (3pm).