With seven absences owing to injury, suspension or unavailability, the Sporting line-up had a bit of an unfamiliar look with Ryan Gardiner making his first start at left-back as Gareth Davies moved into mid-field. Nick Harris had another game in the centre of defence whilst 17 year-old Ashley Carter made his debut after shining for the youth team.
Bolehall had the much better start pinning their visitors back in their own half for the first 20 minutes and although Sporting looked shaky on a hard, dry and slightly uneven surface, the back four held firm and were well-organised.
Swifts created a decent opportunity on 7 minutes but Troy Wallen lofted his shot over the bar and it was not until 22 minutes before Sporting had their first effort which Jon Rogers hit against Will Holyland on the Bolehall line with their goalkeeper, Tom McNulty stranded.
With halftime looming the match suddenly livened up. Terence Carpenter floated a speculative ball into the visitors' box that tuned out to be better than expected forcing Sporting 'keeper Tom Savage to touch it over the bar. Then a few minutes later, Matt Ross got on to the end of Gareth Davies' corner, heading hard and low but again this was cleared off the line.
In the second half Sporting looked to be more composed on the ball and attempted to force the pace of the game with quick passing and getting the ball up front to Jovan Blake-Walker in the holding role.
Jon Rogers found himself clear on 72 minutes but the last pass had to much pace and it went for a goal-kick then moments later the busy striker looked to be brought down in the box but referee Mr Hathaway just waved play on.
Matt Ross nearly got on to the score sheet as a Keith Draper corner bounced off his shins only for another chance to be cleared off the line.
For the last five minutes both teams tried to get the ball up front quickly to seal three pints but both defences remained resolute and that is how the game finished with neither side hitting the back of the net.
Sporting captain Matt Ross thought his team played well particularly in the second half and he was disappointed not to have won.
Meanwhile manager Graham Scott after his second match in sole change praised his players for gaining a point in difficult circumstances.
Bolehall: Tom McNulty, Nick Heath (capt), Dan Getliff, Will Holyland, Tom Starkey, Conor Fulford, Colby Macadams (Rhys Brade 60 mins), Danny Hales, Troy Wallen, Nathan Thompson, Terence Carpenter (Craig Haywood 84 mins).
Subs not used: Lee Millard, Matty Ball, Dale Lynch.
Sporting: Tom Savage, Aaron Roberts, Ryan Gardiner, Nick Harris, Matt Ross (capt), Bradley Whitehouse, Jon Rogers, Gareth Davies, Jovan Blake-Walker, Ashley Carter, Keith Draper.
Subs not used: James Myatt, Tom Rankin, Danny Deehan, Jamie McWilliams, Jamie Marler |