A disappointing end to the season for The Rouslers as they narrowly failed to win their first piece of silverware again losing out in a penalty shoot-out.
It was a pity for Sporting as across the first ninety minutes, they shaded their opponents and certainly created more chances.
Manager Keith Draper had selection problems with his son, Keith Junior, Aaron Roberts and ace scorer Chrisi Conway all away on holiday whilst centre back Mike Thurbon was ruled out after injuring himself playing cricket the week before.
Nick Allen came in at left back, with Joe Brookes moving in the back four whilst Peter Jenvey, Dan Wilkes and Chris Bright were drafted into a five-man midfield leaving Jon Rogers as the lone striker.
Sporting could not have had a better start when Dan Wilkes robbed Littleton seconds after the kick-off, fed the ball up field to Rogers whose shot, with the outside of his boot, was well stopped by 'keeper Danny Edwards.
Littleton's response was a quick counter-attack with Jamie Clarke hitting wide of the Sporting post just moments later.
Sporting's tidy passing and carefully constructed moves finally paid a dividend with 10 minutes on the clock as Chris Bright hit over a well-placed cross into the Littleton box that an unmarked Nick Martin gratefully headed home.
The visitors extended their lead eighteen minutes later and not for the first time this season it was Jon Rogers who created an opportunity from nothing when he robbed Kevin Ingram as the centre-back attempted to clear the ball up field. That left Rogers with just keeper Edwards to beat, that he did with a neat chip into the net.
Just before half-time though Littleton got one back when James Turk clumsily bundled over Joe Lolley a couple of yards inside the Sporting penalty area. Tom Savage guessed correctly with the resulting spot kick but Matt Mitchell hit his shot hard and low enough to go under the diving 'keeper.
After the interval Sporting still had the better of the play but saw several reasonable chances go begging. Littleton relied more on getting the ball quickly to their two lively strikers and on the 68th minute, they got the equaliser when Jamie Clarke received the ball in another quick move that he fed on to Joe Walsh who saw his opportunity to slide the ball under advancing 'keeper Tom Savage.
With legs tiring both sides invigorated their line-ups with substitutes and that for Sporting in the form of Robbie Hendry nearly had an immediate benefit when the lanky striker hit over the crossbar with his first touch.
However with neither side able to break the deadlock, the 90 minutes ended all square and extra time beckoned.
In the additional half-hour both sides had their chances but neither could land the killer punch. Sporting had the advantage of several usefully-positioned free-kicks but neither Kevin Banner nor Joe Brookes had their scoring boots on so with just a couple of minutes left, the hard working Karl Fellows was given a chance from 20 yards out only to see his excellently taken kick rattle against the upright, thus denying Sporting a victory.
With no change in the score line after 120 minutes, penalties were needed to settle the tie. Karl Fellows hit the post for Sporting whilst Dan Trotman hit the bar for Littleton. Then with just one kick left for each team and Keelan McNally needing to score to keep Sporting in the match, his spot kick sailed over the bar and into the field behind. Cue for deserved celebration by Littleton who remarkably have now won this trophy 18 times.
Penalty shoot-out
Littleton 1-0 Sporting Alex Baird
Littleton 1-1 Sporting Joe Brookes
Littleton 2-1 Sporting Simon Fitter
Littleton 2-2 Sporting Kevin Banner
Littleton 3-2 Sporting Connor Trotman
Littleton 3-2 Sporting Karl Fellows hit the post
Littleton 4-2 Sporting Jamie Clarke
Littleton 4-3 Sporting Robbie Hendry
Littleton 4-3 Sporting Dan Trotman hit the bar
Littleton 4-3 Sporting Keelan McNally over the bar
Littleton: Danny Edwards, Matt Mitchell (Tim Beattie 71 mins), Dan Trotman (Scott Walsh 79 mins), Kevin Ingram, Simon Fitter, Connor Trotman, Alex Baird (capt), Joe Walsh, Jamie Clarke, Joe Lolley (Sean Brain 89 mins), Tom Allard.
Subs not used: Kieran Gilbert, James Bishop
Sporting: Tom Savage, Karl Fellows, Nick Allen (Ryan Molesworth 73 mins), Nick Martin, Joe Brookes (capt), Peter Jenvey (Keelan McNally 93 mins), Chris Bright, James Turk, Jon Rogers, Dan Wilkes (Robbie Hendry 73 mins), Kevin Banner.
Subs not used: Mikey Stewart, John Evans. |