Sporting kept their promotion hopes alive with another three points gained against Clements. However the home side were determined not to allow their visitors any time on the ball and pretty well closed them down for the full 90 minutes leaving fans of both sides watching anything but an entertaining game of football.
As Clements were quite happy to play everybody behind the ball, Sporting made good use of Odane Barnes frequently hitting the ball up field for him to hold but he was well marked and struggled to control the ball on a hard and uneven pitch.
Pressure from the Rouslers finally and deservedly paid off on 20 minutes when Nick Allen headed in Chris Bright's corner just inside the right-hand post.
Jim McGettrick in goal for Sporting had little to do in the first half apart from watch for dodgy bounces when the ball came his way, whilst at the other end Alan Parker saw reasonable efforts from Richard Griffiths and Chris Bright sail over his bar.
For the first few minutes of the second half, Clements played with a bit more spirit and determination. Gareth Rogers cleared a shot from Francis Bunce off the line just after the re-start and Jim McGettrick had to act quickly to pick up from Martin Campbell seven minutes later.
But the game then returned to its familiar pattern as Sporting pressed forward but most attacks broke down in the last third of the field as legs became tired and frustration increased.
Sporting looked most dangerous down the right with full back Danny Lismore interacting well with Chris Bright in a midfield-cum-winger role.
Sporting however sealed their victory on 89 minutes when Richard Griffiths up field for a corner hit an angled shot that beat the Clements 'keeper but forced centre back Davis to handle, earning him a red card and a penalty against his team. Jamie Rogers duly converted hitting low to the right of Parker who went the wrong way.
With the light fading and fans getting cold, there was some relief when Mr Murray blew for full time a couple of minutes later.
Feckenham lost and Blackwood only gained a point so Sporting made ground on their rivals but they are still dependent on others in the leading pack to drop points if they are to get out of this division.
Clements (all blue): Alan Parker, Paul Dutton (Dave Morgan 67 mins), Ivan Smith, Richard Stevenson, Keith Rogers, Will Davis (capt), Shane Hempenstall, Jason Stephenson, Martin Campbell, Francis Bunce, Rob Parker.
Substitutes not used: Barry Dutton, Wayne Benton, Gregg Marrett.
Sporting (green shirts, white shorts, green socks): Jim McGettrick, Danny Lismore, Gareth Rogers, Nick Allen, Richard Griffiths, Joe Brookes, Dan Wilkes, Jamie Rogers (capt.), Odane Barnes, Stuart Hall (Jamie Siviter 75 mins), Chris Bright (James McKeon 87 mins).
Substitutes not used: Shaun May, Tom Weaver, Stewart Brighton. |