Sporting finally picked up their first point away from home but it could easily have been three. As with previous matches, numerous chances were created and plenty of good balls were supplied to the forwards but too many shots went astray.
In the first twenty minutes Sporting had five efforts go wide or over the bar compared to just one from the home side. Then the inevitable happened, Chelmsley's Michael Berry hit a good pass to Ben Toon, Jamie Rogers, back defending attempted a sliding tackle and unluckily hit a divot, Toon then crossed to Junior Brown who easily beat Sporting 'keeper Chris Mole, blasting home hard to his left.
Sporting continued their domination of the half but were still unable to find the net despite more good chances.
The second half was a more even affair but it was still Sporting who were off target though to be fair Craig Blaxland did well to tip over Nick Harris's 25-yard screamer.
The away side finally got the equaliser on 66 minutes when Michael Woolman powerfully headed in Jamie Rogers' free kick giving the Chelmsley 'keeper no chance.
However, the deadlock only lasted three minutes and it was Junior Brown again on target. The burley striker received the ball about 20 yards out and managed to resist Richard Griffiths challenge before side-footing past Chris Mole.
With just over ten minutes to go, Sporting thought their opportunity to square the game had arrived when busy midfielder Dan Wilkes, appeared to be dragged down in the box but referee Mr Dempsey waved play on much to the chagrin of the away players and supporters.
Sporting managed to equalise again on the 85th minute when Michael Woolman received a good pass out on the right, beat two defenders, then calmly slotted past 'keeper Craig Blaxland in the bottom right hand corner for a well-taken goal.
With both teams striving to get the winner, tempers started to fray and with three minutes added time played, Aaron Roberts and Scott Hewitt squared up over a throw in. Mr Dempsey intervened, giving both players a yellow card. Unfortunately for Roberts, it was his second and thus became the first Sporting player to be sent for an early bath.
So the game finally fizzled out to a draw but Sporting really should have wrapped this match up a long way before half-time.
Chelmsley (sky blue/white shirts, black shorts and socks, 4-4-2) - Craig Blaxland; Scott Parker (Capt.), Darryl Harris, Warren Perks, Tonn Adcock (Mark Foster 56 mins); Michael Berry (Jason Powell), Mark Foster, James Sawyer, Scott Hewitt, Ben Toon; Junior Brown, Phillip Wright (61 mins).
Substitutes not used: Andrew Wardle, Callum Green.
Sporting (red & white shirts, blue shorts, blue socks, 4-4-2) - Chris Mole; Chris Bright (James McKeon (89 mins), Richard Griffiths (Capt.), Danny Patrick, Nick Allen; Jamie Rogers, Aaron Roberts, Dan Wilkes (Ricky Hammond 85 mins), Nick Harris; Jamie Siviter (Odane Barnes 46 mins), Michael Woolman. Substitute not used: Neil Cooksey. |