Another competent performance from the Rouslers now sees their winning streak of league matches extend to nine and just one loss in the last seventeen games in all competitions.
Manager Adrian Mander made just a couple of changes to the team that beat Racing Club Warwick in mid-week with Chris Duggan replacing Jack Wilson at left-back whilst Billy Russell dropped to the bench in favour of Matt Poyner.
Neither side started really quickly, a bit like boxers sizing each other up before making any decisive blows. Sporting however began to move the ball around a bit more keeping possession and closing down their opponents.
The break came on 13 minutes when Joe Cole intercepted a Copsewood move and played to his centre-back partner Craig Jones who hit a good pass up field to Sean Williams. The winger immediately charged into the Copsewood penalty area and just as everybody was expecting a cross he hit a hard angled shot into the top of the away net for Sporting's first.
Williams was again in action a couple of minutes later but his effort hit the side-netting after being set up by Darius Darkin.
The host's best move of the half was on the 22nd second minute when a shot from lively left winger Danny Fraser went out for a corner then from the resulting place kick Petajon Gordon's header was cleared off the line by the dependable Chris Duggan.
Sporting's second came on the half-hour mark when Brett Mander hit a good ball into the box but Copsewood's centre-back Tom Murphy only managed to head it out to Sean Williams who happily volleyed home from 15 yards.
Seven minutes later Matt Poyner scored the away team's third when he picked up a loose ball following a tackle on Mark Bellingham.
After the interval Copsewood starting playing better, holding the ball, passing well and keeping possession from their opponents but apart from forcing 'keeper Jake Bedford into a good save from substitute Nathan McBean and a tip over from Martin Crawford, the Sporting defence remained well-marshalled by captain Joe Cole and nothing got past them.
If there was even a small chance that Copsewood could get back then that went out of the window on the 70th minute when Mark Bellingham scored his 38th of the season after a well-flighted pass from Brett Mander deep in his own half went over the heads of the Copsewood back four where it was picked up by the league's leading scorer who tapped home unmarked.
Copsewood did hit the post from a corner a few minutes later and Martin Crawford should have done better than scuff a shot when he had an open goal to aim at but even though they tried the game had effectively been over for them at half-time.
After the final whistle Sporting manager Adrian Mander said, "This was a good win away from home. A bit scrappy in the second half but we got three points and we can be pleased with a positive outcome".
With Brocton drawing, Sporting are now 2 points from leaders but they also have two matches in hand.
Copsewood: Scott Furlong, Darren Hutchinson, Adam Spalding, Craig Civzeus (Ross Perkins 57 mins), Tom Murphy (James Ritson 61 mins), Sam Thomson, Adam Civzeus, Liam Cairns, Martin Crawford, Petajon Gordon (Nathan McBean 51 mins), Danny Fraser.
Subs not used: Michael Bawden, David Tonks.
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Brett Mander, Chris Duggan, Sam Wilkinson, Joe Cole (Capt.), Craig Jones, Sean Williams, Darius Darkin (Billy Russell 57 mins), Mark Bellingham, Matt Poyner, Danny Ludlow (Jack Wilson 67 mins). |