Once upon a time this was a top of the table fixture, season defining, clash of the titans (add cliche as required) etc. Not anymore, as Sporting strengthened ahead of the new season Blackwood unfortunately saw a number of their best players leave. They are somewhat a shadow of the team that were such formidable opponents in previous seasons.
In the first half today Sporting looked to be the much better team. However Blackwood improved in the second half but could not prevent The Rouslers extending their lead and completing a comfortable win.
Sporting scored with their first serious attack as Martin turned in Chris Conway's low centre. Soon after it should have been two as Draper beat the offside trap, drew the goalkeeper and laid the ball off to Conway who was stopped by an excellent last ditch tackle.
Sporting were in total control against an oddly passive Blackwood and the second goal came after thirty-two minutes, Conway scoring from Jon Rogers' pull back. He then incurred an unnecessary yellow card for taking his shirt off.
Just before half time Jack Lodge ran onto a through ball as the home defence parted to let him through but shot straight at the goalkeeper. Two-nil to the Rouslers at the break but it could have been four or five.
After half time Blackwood were much more competitive, closing Sporting down and winning a lot of the loose balls, of which there were plenty as they successfully broke up Sporting's play.
After Conway had missed a good chance at the start of the half Blackwood pulled a goal back, Evans heading in unchallenged from a free kick. For fifteen minutes Sporting were on the back foot. Just after the hour Blake won a challenge in midfield and played an early ball to release Jon Rogers who dragged his shot wide of the post.
Sporting extended their lead soon after. Goalkeeper Hughes made a desperate stop on the by-line to prevent a deflected shot going out for a corner, but was penalised for handling outside his area. He saved Blake's header from the resultant free kick only for the ball to squirm from his grasp and end up in the back of the net.
After this Blackwood allowed their frustration to get the better of them and a number of decisions by the referee were disputed. As the game became niggly and bad tempered Chris Morrison replaced Chris Conway and used his strength to telling effect in setting up the fourth goal. An attempted clearance from his low cross rebounded off the inrushing Draper into the corner of the net. Morrison then upset the goalkeeper with a full-blooded challenge for Blake-Walker's cross that provoked a number of probably over stated protests from the Blackwood players. The home team continued to battle and cause occasional problems with Savage making a good save towards the end.
Another good away win then that was not quite as straightforward as the score line might suggest. Blackwood made Sporting work hard in a physical second half but the Rouslers were not intimidated. Some of Sporting's defending wasn't particularly convincing but on a day when the Blackwood bogey was finally laid that's a minor criticism.
Blackwood: Tom Hughes, Hudson, Milliard, Dan Hughes, Bradbury (Williams HT), Hill, Thorp (Chesters 78), John, Nurse, Evans, Larmour (Tonks 77)
Subs Not Used: McEvoy, Alex Hughes
Sporting: Savage, Roberts, Parker, Martin, Mike Thurbon, Dugmore, Rogers (Blake-Walker 78), Blake, Conway (Morrison 76), Lodge (McWilliams 78), Draper
Subs Not Used: Bright, Bragg |