A tough encounter that saw Sporting on the back foot for the first 20 minutes and for much of the second half. However, The Rouslers rallied well enough just before the interval to take the lead and despite some last gasp defending, they managed to stop their opponents from equalising let alone winning an entertaining game.
It was pretty much one-way traffic after the kick-off with Stafford playing uphill and remaining camped in the Bromsgrove half. Midfielder Steve Hopkinson created some good moves as well as testing out the home defence with a couple of chances whilst right-back Steve Bennett's overlapping runs and free-kick's came close to giving the visitors a lead.
Sporting had to wait until the 20th minute before having their first good scoring opportunity when Chrisi Conway curled a neat shot that went just outside the right-hand upright.
Bit by bit the home side eased themselves into this match. Conway failed to get much pace on a shot 10 minutes alter whilst the impressive youngster Elliot Nash only managed a weak effort that Stafford 'keeper Richard Stone easily gathered.
With the interval looming and the home fans were wondering if their team could take a lead in for half-time, Sporting won a corner that was taken by the reliable James Blake. He floated over an inch-perfect ball to the far post where Chris Morrison had the simplest of nod-ins.
That was all the visitors were going to give away. The second half saw them come out much stronger and determined. Sporting soaked up more pressure than any other match this season with the back four at least keeping the insurgents at bay whilst Tom Savage in the Bromsgrove goal made a couple of fine saves from the two Stafford strikers Craig Smith and Paul McMahon.
Stafford's game plan was quite simple which was to retain possession and if they lost the ball get it back quickly. This they did quite effectively but sometimes over-zealously as reflected by their total of yellow cards.
Sporting had to work hard for the few chances they had in the second half. They knew that a second goal would kill off the visitors' chances but despite valiant efforts by Conway and the busy Jon Rogers, it never came and when Mr Phillips blew for full-time there was a collective sigh of relief from players, officials and supporters of Sporting.
On the night, Sporting knew this was not one of their best performances and they were up against a good side but there is a cliche about good sides not playing well but still winning. They are now third in the table and with the youngsters in Block D singing "we're gonna win the League", that would have been heard by the players and the management team.
Sporting: Tom Savage, Aaron Roberts, Jamie Parker, Nick Martin (Capt.), Matt Ross, James Blake, Jon Rogers (Karl Fellows 87 mins), James Turk (Nick Harris 74 mins), Chrisi Conway, Chris Morrison (Keith Draper Jnr 67 mins), Elliot Nash.
Subs not used: Danny Deehan, Chris Bright
Stafford: Richard Stone, Steve Bennett, Darryl Evans, James Price, Spencer Gunnell, Mat Dockerty (Capt.), Ryan Fox, Steve Hopkinson, Paul McMahon (Liam Evans 76 mins), Craig Smith (Darryll Johns 59 mins), Ishmail Reid.
Subs not used: Jamie Cartwright, Sam Winstanley |