For the second away match in succession, it was a proud day for Sporting captain Craig Jones as he led his team on to the pitch for his 102nd appearance thus overtaking Jake Bedford for the Club record.
He will also be proud of the result he helped his team obtain with three points from a competitive and capable Coventry Copsewood side.
The match started a bit like a boxing bout with the two teams happy to prod and jab without trying to land any heavy blows as they sized up their opponents. Indeed it was just after six minutes before we had the first attempt on goal when Ryan Harkin forced a good save from Bromsgrove's Chris Jay. Then it was the 15th minute before Sporting's first attempt but it was well worth waiting for as Connor Collins turned in the box only to see his fine shot hammer off the cross bar.
That effort seemed to give Sporting more confidence on a heavy but playable pitch. Collins had another couple of good chances moments later whilst Dale Edwards should have done better than blast over the bar on the 36th minute.
Copsewood meanwhile were relying on fast breaks up the flanks using a couple of pacy wingers and the drier ground. One move started with Chris Wilson-King whose cross found Reese Blackmore in the box but his resulting shot was well-saved by Jay diving low.
From the kick out up field Sporting gained one of many free-kicks awarded to the two sides by Mr Clenaghan. Nathan Walker took the place kick that Copsewood centre back Jordon Simms got his head to, only to see the ball loop over his 'keeper into the net giving Sporting the lead 4 minutes before half-time.
At the start of the second period, the home side knew they had to attack and that they did, pegging Sporting back in the own half for much of the first 20 minutes. However the away back four including debutant Jake Willcox, remained solid and on the couple of times they were breached Chris Jay between the sticks made fine saves.
Gradually though Sporting re-asserted control of the game particularly after the introduction of Reece Hewitt as a substitute in mid-field and on the 71st minute they finally had an opportunity to extend their lead when Kyle Turner was brought down in the box. The unlucky tackler George Whitelaw was adjudged to be the last man by the referee after consultation with his assistant and trudged off to an early shower.
Unfortunately for Sporting, the usually reliable Hewitt hit the post from the spot after comfortably beating 'keeper Dale O'Donnell.
The disappointment though only lasted a couple of minutes as Sporting gained another free-kick just outside the box that was beautifully curled into the top corner of the net by Nathan Walker from a narrow angle.
Copsewood were now looking quite tired and clearly annoyed with themselves as tempers got heated. Not just the players but also the coach who was ordered from the dugout after persistent arguing over a throw-in!
Number three for Sporting was always going to come and that arrived on the 85th minute as Sean Brain knocked over a precision cross that went from Collins to Liam Spink who had plenty of time to hit his shot in the roof of the net. Just two minutes later and number four was scored by the hard-working Collins who side-stepped O'Donnell before easily tapping home.
The awful afternoon for Copsewood continued on the 88th minute when captain Craig Civzelis received his marching orders for a dangerous tackle though remarkably they found the net 5 minutes into added time when an innocuous looking cross was bundled home by Martin Gormley.
Not the ideal ending for Sporting but the three points now propels them up to second place in the division, their highest of the season; and a good position to be in with two home matches over the break.
Coach Martin Sockett said after the match, "I am very pleased with the result. It was a solid, professional performance against a good side and now we are looking forward to Christmas".
Copsewood: Dale O'Donnell, George Whitelaw, Danny Fraser, Craig Civzelis (Capt.), Matthew Mitchell, Jordon Simms, Liam Cairns (Sean Gaffney 78 mins), Reese Blackmore (Adam Civzelis 65 mins), Ryan Harkin (Martin Gormley 65 mins), Connell Farrell, Chris Wilson-King.
Substitutes not used: Kyle Jeys, Matty Fowler
Goal: Gormley (90+4 mins)
Yellows: Blackmore (19 mins), Fraser (47 mins), Mitchell (72 mins), Gormley (87 mins).
Reds: Whitelaw (72 mins), Craig Civzelis (88 mins)
Sporting: Chris Jay, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Nathan Walker, Craig Jones (Capt), Jake Willcox, Sam Wills (Luke Dugmore 59 mins), Liam Spink, Connor Collins, Kyle Turner (Sean Brain 75 mins), Dale Edwards (Reece Hewitt 59 mins).
Substitutes not used: Ethan Hanks, Luke Corbett.
Goals: Walker (41, 75 mins), Spink (85 mins), Collins (87 mins)
Yellows: Dugmore (88 min)
Referee: Mr A Clenaghan (Tamworth)
Assistants: Mr S Tallis (Coventry), Mr J Ledwidge (Coventry)
Crowd: 78
Weather: Mild, windy
Sporting MoM: Nathan Walker
Report: Phil Baker |