"This is a good as it gets", said one fan as he left the Victoria Ground at end the end of 90 minutes pinching himself, "that is the best performance I have seen of this team since the start two years ago". And who was going to disagree with him? Beating the division's best side by five with no reply.
Sporting came into the match on the back of a win but a disappointing display against Fairfield the week before. Manager Keith Draper drafted several first team players into the Central Conference game against Ilkeston last Tuesday then got the whole first team squad together for a training session the next night to sharpen up match fitness. It worked.
However it could have all come apart had Blackwood, the quicker side out of their blocks, put away one of three decent chances whist on top in the first 20 minutes. Edgar Davids look-alike Jacob Snape scuffed two shots and failed to test home 'keeper Tom Savage whilst Steve Bell should have done better than put one wide of the left hand post.
Gradually Sporting took control of the midfield with James Turk in particular threading some decent passes through to his forwards who bit by bit stretched the Blackwood defence across the park.
This tactic paid dividends on 34 minutes when Jon Rogers found himself with an open goal and smashed home from just eight yards out making him Sporting's top all time scorer. Four minutes later Chrisi Conway doubled the lead with a candidate for goal of the season when he saw visiting 'keeper Richard Mills off his line and he blasted a great shot over his head from 20 yards out.
Blackwood were late coming out for the second half but when they did line up there was a look of grim determination on their faces. They clearly thought they could rescue this situation and Sporting knew they were capable. Cue for the advantage to swing in the visitors' favour when they were awarded a spot-kick after just a coupe of minutes for a handball.
Step forward Danny Hemmings who for reasons known only unto himself put the ball in the net before anybody including the ref was ready. So a re-take was ordered and he hit the left post. Relief all round not the least from the fans watching from behind the goal in the north shed end.
That really was a make or break moment, from then on Sporting thought they had a bit of luck on their side and played with increased confidence. The third came on 60 minutes when Keith J Draper scored a great solo effort bring the ball in from the right dummying a couple of defenders before coolly slotting past the hapless Richard Mills.
However, there was still some worry amongst the Sporting faithful that the clear blue water of a three-goal margin would still not be enough against a skilful outfit but that was put to rest when Mike Thurbon got his first for the club on 81 minutes after a goalmouth scramble and substitute striker Robbie Hendry posted the fifth with six minutes to go.
So Sporting move up the third in the league but other teams do have matches in hand. Not only was this a good result but also it was a composed and assured performance. Compared to the week before Sporting controlled the game better, supplied each other with some very good passes and importantly did not give the ball away.
A slightly disappointing crowd of just 256 saw the best game of the season. Those who decided to mow the lawns or watch the rugby will probably be kicking themselves.
Sporting: Tom Savage, Karl Fellows, Aaron Roberts (Ryan Molesworth 73 mins), Nick Martin, Mike Thurbon, James Turk, Keith J Draper, Peter Jenvey (Danny Lismore 78 mins), Jon Rogers, Chrisi Conway (Robbie Hendry 70 mins), Dan Wilkes. Substitutes not used: Leon Mooney, Mikey Stewart.
Blackwood: Richard Mills, Simon Hudson, Wayne Hall (Adam Tilsley 46 mins), Ashley Clarke, Warren Grant, Chris Hill, Danny Hemmings, Steve Bell, Jacob Snape (Tony Clarke 73 mins), Chris Milliard, Lee Thorp (Matt Griffiths 80 mins).
Substitutes not used: Nick John, Chris Fitzgerald. |