A comfortable if not entirely convincing win for Sporting sees them go through to the Preliminary Round of the FA Cup against Rugby Town in a couple of weeks time.
Both sides started the match quite cautiously attempting to hang on to possession and avoiding anything risky resulting in much of the action in the middle of the well-groomed pitch.
Hayes had the first attempt on goal on the 4th minute but David Waple's strike from a free-kick went well past the Sporting left-hand post. Gradually though the away side pushed themselves forward with Chrisi Conway's effort going wide of the post a couple of minutes later.
Sporting's Nathan Walker bit by bit took on a leading role in mid-field with a free-kick going close on the 7th minute then a succession of well-placed passes kept his forwards well-supplied. However few attempts resulted in opportunities let alone one in the net and there was sense of frustration beginning to creep into the Rouslers' ranks.
However the deadlock was broken on the 22nd minute by Walker who put away a beautifully taken free-kick into the middle of Mark Wiggins' net after Sean Brain had been clogged on the edge of the box.
Walker should have had a second 8 minutes later when the ball bounced out after he hit the underside of the bar. Meanwhile Hayes attempted to get back into the game but Brad Grice should have done better with a good chance in the offing but scuffed his shot after receiving a good cross from David Waple.
After half-time, the home side knew they had to push harder if they were going to get back in the game and had their best spell in the first 10 minutes of the half but despite good work by Jack Partridge and Ryan Goodwin failed to find the target.
With 62 minutes gone, Sporting got their second with a powerful header home from captain Craig Jones after Tony Clarke had nodded on Will Tibbetts corner.
Two minutes later the away side pretty much put the game out of reach of their opponents when Jack Wilson made a run down the left followed by a quick exchange with Sam Wills then hit a sublime low strike into the narrow gap between post and 'keeper from 25 yards out.
From then on Sporting were able to defend in numbers giving Hayes few opportunities to get into the last third of the field. Chris Lloyd, Luke Edwards and Will Tibbetts all had good efforts but found Mark Wiggins in good form who made several good stops.
With few second half stoppages, referee Mr Chalkley blew just one added minute after the ninety with the large contingent of Sporting supporters giving applause for a good win and a respectable performance by the home side.
Sporting: Neil Leech, Will Tibbetts, Jack Wilson (Joe Haines), Nathan Walker, Craig Jones (Capt), Luke Edwards, Danny Morris, Ahmed Ali, Chrisi Conway (Sam Wills 60 mins), Chris Lloyd, Sean Brain (Tony Clark 60 mins).
Substitutes not used: Jake Willcox, Lucky Nwosu, Brendan Kelly,
Goals: Walker (22 mins), Jones (62 mins), Wilson (64 mins).
Yellows: Conway (56 mins), Tibbetts (87 mins).
Heath Hayes: Matt Wiggins (Capt), Luke Holmes, Brad Grice (Joe Geldart 31 mins), John Littler (Rhys Horton 73 mins), Steven Yates, Ryan Goodwin, Oliver Hayward, Ryan Burns, Joe Hartshorne, David Waple (Charlie Ware 73 mins), Jack Partridge.
Substitutes not used: James Russell, David Leese, Connor Haddaway, Jack Arrowsmith.
Yellows: Grice (7 mins), Goodwin (22 mins), Horton (81 mins)
Referee: Mr S Chalkley (Chelmsley)
Assistants: Mr A Ford (Marston Green), Mr P Sudbury (Stechford).
Weather: Warm, sunny.
Crowd: 174
Sporting Man of the Match: Nathan Walker
Heath Hayes Man of the Match: Jack Partridge
Reporter: Phil Baker |