Sporting's impressive away form in the league continued last weekend with another 3 points bagged in a match they should have won more comfortably than the scoreline suggests.
This result now means that The Rouslers have gone twelve months and the whole of 2014 without losing an away league match notching up 14 wins and 2 draws.
On a cold but bright afternoon, Sporting were looking resume their good league form after losing out in two cup matches in the previous week and for much of the opening spell they had the better of the game.
Simon Fitter returned to the side after a 3-match suspension and playing in midfield assisted Ryan Mahon on breaking down Nuneaton moves as well as providing several well-aimed passes up-field.
On the eleventh minute he put a perfectly placed ball over the top of Griff's midfield and back four that Sean Brain picked up on the other side, that left him in a one-to-one with Alex Horton that the nippy striker just managed to slot home under the advancing 'keeper.
Three minutes later, Sam Wills headed Chris Duggan's cross against the post whilst Chrisi Conway had a couple of chances go wide including an overhead kick.
Not to be outdone Ryan Mahon tried to get in on the act with a 25-yard lob that went just over the bar.
After half-time Nuneaton changed their tactics and tried to keep possession with short passes and more controlled football. This denied Sporting the wealth of possession that they enjoyed in the first half as the home side gradually eased their way back into the match.
However Sporting were still pushing forward and on the 69th minute were awarded a penalty for a foul in the box but Alex Horton guessed correctly and dived low to save Sam Wills spot kick.
Nuneaton's perseverance finally paid off on the 73rd minute when after a careful build-up, Jack Colley headed past Jake Bedford in the Sporting net for the equaliser.
This goal looked to have rattled the Bromsgrove side who knew they should have had a clear margin by now and straight from the kick-off Simon Fitter floated a long ball to the far post that substitute Jozsef Jakab converted from 10 yards with a delightful volley and another candidate for goal of the season.
Having got the lead back, Sporting allowed their opponents few more chances but were unable to add to their own tally and so the match ended with a narrow win for Sporting.
After the final whistle central midfielder Ryan Mahon admitted that the team should have been more than one up at half time and said, "Griff closed us down in the second half and played well but across the 90 minutes we were the better side and deserved the win"
Griff: Alex Horton, Josh McEwan (Ben Scoffham 46 mins), Andy Evans, Mark Williams (Capt), Liam Baginskis, Corey Faulconbridge, Connor Faulconbridge, Jai Stanley, Adam Russell, Aden Moore, Jack Colley.
Unused substitutes: Charlie Reardon, Josh Willis.
Scorer: Jack Colley (73 mins)
Yellows: Liam Baginskis (19 mins), Mark Williams (66 mins)
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Chris Duggan, Danny Morris, Simon Fitter, Ryan Mahon, Scott Smith (Capt.), Craig Jones, Reece Hewitt, Chrisi Conway (Jozsef Jakab 64 mins), Sam Wills (Liam Molesworth 77 mins), Sean Brain (Will Tibbetts 85 mins).
Unused substitutes: Charlie Wilson, Jack Wilson.
Scorers: Sean Brain (13 mins), Jozsef Jakab (74 mins).
Cards: None
Referee: Mr P Hands (Nuneaton)
Assistants: Mr I Mitchell (Coventry), Mr S Slinn (Coventry)
Attendance: 104
Weather: Cold, sunny.
Sporting Man of the Match: Ryan Mahon |