Sporting can feel well-satisfied with both the result of this game and their performance. Technically it was their most accomplished match so far this season maintaining their position in first place whilst opening up a gap against their nearest rivals.
Playing downhill in the first half, the Rouslers as with previous matches had the majority of the possession with Ahmed Ali and Keenen Meakin-Richards spraying neat passes around whilst Robbie Bunn and Reece Hewitt playing wide made good use of the flanks.
Chances though were difficult to come by as the well-organised Lichfield back four held their line well but any attempt by them to move up field was generally thwarted a well-organised Sporting defence.
It was just under 10 minutes on the clock before Jason Cowley had the first good effort for the away side then four minutes later, Hewitt got the by-line before pulling back a superb ball across the face of the goal that Cowley had cleared off the line.
Wind on four more minutes and Cowley had another effort cleared but the ball only went out to Bunn on the right wing who instead of lofting the ball back into the box placed a low cross on the ground that deceived the Lichfield defence but not Cowley who deflected into the right hand corner of the net for a deserved goal and the lead for Sporting.
The home side then had their best spell of the match up to half-time and would have been disappointed not to have gained at least an equaliser. On 24 minutes Ben Lund intercepted a poor back pass from Tony Clarke, crossed into the box but Marley Hamilton skied over the bar from a few yards out when it might have been easier to put into the open net.
Then a few minutes later Hamilton laid off well to Jordan Hunt but his shot was well-blocked by Chris Jay in the Sporting goalmouth and the resulting re-bound from Lund went well wide of the right-hand.
After half-time. Sporting remained cautious only moving forward when it was safe to do so. Ahmed Ali had a good effort that went just over the bar whilst Bunns strike on 57 minutes was easily gathered by Lichfield keeper Amrick Virdee.
A minute later Hamilton went down in the box but referee My Chalkley waved play on much to the relief of the 100 plus contingent of Bromsgrove fans behind the goal.
With the game in its final quarter, Lichfield continued to rely on quick breaks but none came to much apart from Jordan Evans desperate shot that went over the bar. Meanwhile substitute for Sporting Chris Lloyd had a couple of shots saved whilst Cowley continued to look for a second but a late header grazed the crossbar and another drive caused Virdee no problems as it went wide of the right post.
Eventually with the light fading and a lot of tired legs on the soft pitch, Mr Chalkley blew for the end with a couple of minutes added time played.
A useful win for Sporting giving them a four-point lead at the top but there is plenty of football still to play. After the match, assistant manager Adam Cunningham said, "It was not really a pretty game but sometimes you have to win ugly. However the team played well and I was pleased with their performance."
Lichfield: Amrick Virdee, Dean Withers, Jordan Hunt, Richard Deavall (Capt.), Dan McLeod (Graham Ashton 39 mins), Rob Tomlinson, Jordan Evans (Pawek Smigielski 81 mins), Luke Chapman, Ben Lund, Marley Hamilton (Joshua Haston 82 mins), Dan Thurstance.
Unused substitutes: Joe Clarke, Matt Tolley.
Cards: None
Sporting: Chris Jay, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Keenen Meakin-Richards, Craig Jones (Capt), Danny Morris, Robbie Bunn, Ahmed Ali, Tony Clarke (Chris Lloyd 67 mins), Jason Cowley (Sean Brain 84 mins), Reece Hewitt.
Unused substitutes: Joe Haines, Nathan Walker, Jake Willcox,
Scorer: Jason Cowley (18 mins)
Yellows: Jason Cowley (53 mins)
Referee: Mr S Chalkley (Chelmsley Wood).
Assistants: Mr P Taylor (Wolverhampton), Mr C Finnegan (Shirley)
Crowd: 202
Weather: Mild, drizzle
Sporting Man of the Match: Jason Cowley |