Four well-taken goals in the first half gave Sporting a deserved win against a plucky Blackwood team last Saturday. However had the home team taken their chances and had a bit much luck, the result could well have been different.
Sporting have played Blackwood in the league in all four years since they started and a rivalry has built up between the two clubs that was evident from the start as the hosts pressed forward quickly and closed down the visitors as soon as they gained possession.
Former Rousler Daniel Pitt was so keen to get one over his former team mates that he got called offside four times in the first five minutes.
However there was a limit as to how much running around Blackwood could do and gradually Sporting gained control of the match by making good use of the flanks and getting the ball to Sean Williams and Danny Ludlow out on the wings.
It was hosts who came closest to taking the lead on the 22nd minute and it proved to be monumental let-off for Sporting. Blackwood gained a free-kick from just outside the box that Steffano Abonandi chipped to Daniel Pitt, he hooked the ball over the away defence towards goal only to see it bounce off the post and roll along the goal line where it was picked up by relieved 'keeper Jake Bedford.
Two minutes later Sporting took the lead following a fine run down the right by Brett Mander. He hit a good cross to the far post where Mark Bellingham nodded in.
On 29 minutes Blackwood had a gilt-edged chance to even things up when Pitt got behind a drowsy Sporting defence and with Bedford beaten, scuffed the ball allowing the keeper to turn and gather before it rolled over the line.
Sporting's second came on 38 minutes after Blackwood failed clear allowing a neat interchange between Matt Poyner and Sam Wilkinson before the lanky midfielder slotted home under a diving Shaun Edwards.
Two minutes later Sporting increased their lead. This time it was Danny Ludlow who supplied the cross from the left and with Bellingham unmarked, a gentle glance made it three.
The final score of the afternoon came on the stroke of half-time when the ever-dangerous Sean Williams evaded a couple of markers down the right before chipping over the Blackwood defence to Bellingham who had plenty of time to line up his shot which went into the bottom right hand corner for his hat-trick and 43rd goal of the season in just 32 games.
What followed was a fairly uneventful second half as Sporting defended their lead and this time took no risks. Dean Poulson and substitute Lee Thorp has good attempts to get Blackwood back in the match whilst Sean Williams early on and Billy Russell who came on for Darius Darkin had the best efforts for the visitors.
But it was always going to be an uphill struggle for the home side and with no additions to the scoreline referee Mr Cutts blew for full-time after four added minutes.
Barring Atherstone United making up a 30-goal difference their last four matches, Sporting have now secured the runners-up position and the most successful campaign in their four years existence.
Blackwood: Sean Edwards, Liam Florey, Jack McEvoy, Dan Dineen, Toby Checketts, Steffano Abonandi, Phil Chesters (Tom Busby 83 mins), Chris Hill (Ally Lewis 86 mins), Gareth Evans, Daniel Pitt (Lee Thorp 66 mins), Dean Poulson.
Subs not used: Nick John, Simon Hudson.
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Brett Mander, Jack Wilson, Sam Wilkinson, Joe Cole (Capt.), Craig Jones, Sean Williams, Darius Darkin (Billy Russell 63 mins), Mark Bellingham, Matt Poyner, Danny Ludlow (Richard Taylor 69 mins).
Sub not used: Ryan Andrews |