A dramatic end to the match for Bromsgrove outfit who scored twice to come from behind in added time but with Highgate United winning at Coventry Copsewood, Sporting have to settle for the runners-up spot for the second successive season.
After cruising their last match Sporting came up against much more difficult opponents this evening in Atherstone who closed down and marked closely in mid-field giving the Rouslers no space and precious little time on the ball.
The home side relied more on breaks and they were first in action when Cameron Stuart fired wide of the right-hand post on the 4th minute. Sporting had to wait until the 18th for their first good opportunity when Lewis Clarke turned well in the box but put his shot over the bar,
Atherstone finally got their noses in front with 31 minutes on the clock. Ryan Ball put over a pinpoint cross from the left to Stuart who struck well from 10 yards out well wide of Jake Bedford's outstretched arm.
Sporting continued to spend much of the game in their opponents half and persevered with the tactic of high balls into the box to target man Josh McKenzie who laid off well but with few chances created as the Adders back line mopped up all threats. Aaron Williams though did have a couple of half-chances just before the interval.
The second half opened up a bit more with Sporting in search of the equaliser and Atherstone anxious to give themselves a cushion but both defences continued to play well.
The introduction of Chrisi Conway and Will Tibbetts gave Sporting a bit more width up front but still Phil Smith in the opposition goalmouth remained relatively untroubled.
We then had a bit of drama as the clock went just past 82 minutes. Sam Wills was fouled a few yards in front of the Atherstone box and his reaction resulted in a melee and a lot of pushing and shoving. The outcome was a red card for Wills for an alleged head-butt and a second yellow for Ben Ashby for the original foul, so it was ten against ten for the last few minutes.
Up to 90 minutes both teams had just one more useful effort each but with just under a minute of added time played, the dependable Jack Wilson put a neat cross into the Atherstone penalty area that Will Tibbetts swept home under the diving Smith for Sporting's equaliser.
Two minutes later Smith was in action to stop a point blank header from Conway but there was little he could do a minute later when a Sporting player in the form of Craig Jones bizarrely in the striker's position finally got behind the Adders' back four to volley in Conway's cross.
With the away fans calling for time, Mr Watkins duly obliged a minute later to much cheering from the large contingent who seconds earlier thought that a defeat was on the cards.
With maximum points from their last nine league games, Sporting could not have done any more so there was much disappointment at not being able to overhaul Highgate. Saturday's match against Nuneaton Griff should be an end of season celebration but all eyes will now be on next Wednesday's league cup final against Southam United at the Bescot Stadium.
Atherstone: Phil Smith, Lewis Gorle, Anton Astley, Darren Eggleton (Capt), Stephen Olanipekun, Gregg Webb, Ben Ashby, Ryan Ball, Scott Reynolds, Cameron Stuart, Christian Mullings (Matty Selvester 46 mins)
Subs not used: Tom Randle, Elliott Parrott, Ashley Gray, Tyler Beeson.
Scorer: Cameron Stuart (31 mins)
Yellows: Cameron Stuart (32 mins), Gregg Webb (55 mins)
Red: Ben Ashby (2 x yellows 66, 82 mins)
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Danny Morris, Jack Wilson, Simon Fitter (Capt.), Craig Jones, Aaron Williams (Joe Adams 72 mins), Sean Brain, Chris Duggan (Will Tibbetts 59 mins), Josh McKenzie, Sam Wills, Lewis Clarke (Chris Conway 59 mins).
Subs not used: Reece Hewitt, Sam Delaney.
Scorers: Will Tibbetts (90+1 mins), Craig Jones (90+5 mins)
Yellows: Sam Wills (63 mins), Aaron Williams (66 mins)
Red: Sam Wills (82 mins)
Referee Mr R Watkins (Nuneaton)
Assistants: Mr R Pettipher (Coventry), Mr S Carter (Coventry).
Crowd: 205
Weather: Cold, Windy.
Sporting Man of the Match: Craig Jones |