Before the match, Sporting manager Keith Draper warned his players of the potential banana skin in playing basement club Phoenix United. However he need not have worried, as the home side were the architects of their own demise in the early stages of the game in conceding two needless penalties with only 7 minutes on the clock. Chrisi Conway, playing against his former club, and Joe Brookes duly converting.
With Phoenix attempting to regain their composure and Sporting smelling blood, Karl Fellows increased the lead to three just four minutes later with a angled strike from 20 yards out that 'keeper Sean Burrell initially held then fumbled into his own net.
By this time Phoenix' heads were well down and Sporting had little difficulty in scoring four more before the interval courtesy of two from Dan Wilkes, one from Aaron Roberts and a second from Chrisi Conway, though to be fair the Castle Vale club did get one back when captain Justin Blake ran though the Sporting back four and hit a low drive underneath visiting 'keeper Tom Savage.
The second half continued in a similar vein with Chrisi Conway adding two more to his tally and substitute Robbie Hendry getting in on the act. But then Phoenix came to life, strengthened their defence and played some measured football that gained them only their second corner of the match on the 70th minute. From that set piece, James Azamghari headed home to give his side some measure of respectability.
However Sporting were not finished and with seven minutes remaining the lively and skilful Keith Draper had a good run down the right unleashing a fierce shot that 'keeper Sean Burrell could only parry into the path of Chrisi Conway who easily tapped home for his fifth and Sporting's eleventh of the match.
So Sporting recorded a record win against a Phoenix side who clearly have a lot of problems and will be glad to see the season's end. However credit to those players who battled away in difficult circumstances.
Sporting in fairness could have had another half dozen but for poor finishing and although ironic to suggest, the two goals conceded were due to poor defending and they will need to do better against higher quality opposition.
Phoenix: Sean Burrell, James Azamghari, Aldean Walters, Dwight Linton (Ben Main 46 mins), Alex Smith, Shaun Smith, Aaron Bahnili, Justin Jackson (capt), Asha Blake, Steffan Morrison, Shaun Tate.
Substitutes not used: Daniel McIntosh.
Sporting: Tom Savage, Karl Fellows, Aaron Roberts (Keelan McNally 64 mins), Nick Martin (capt), Mike Thurbon (Jon Rogers 46 mins), Keith Draper Jnr, James Turk, Chrisi Conway, Dan Wilkes (Robbie Hendry (51 mins), Kevin Banner.
Substitutes not used: Peter Jenvey, Chris Bright. |