A much-improved performance by Sporting particularly in defence saw them ease though to the next round of the FA Cup writes Phil Baker.
After coming back twice from behind last Saturday, the home side were clearly looking for a good start and nearly got one with a minute on the clock as Callum Riddell’s curling effort from just outside the box needed a safe pair of hands from Reece Francis.
However Sporting were a match for their opponents and steadily got in the game culminating in a fine run down the left by Robbie Bunn on the fifth minute who after dummying a couple of defenders threaded a neat pass to John Pykett just in front of the goal who could not fail to tap home and give his side the lead.
Both teams were creating chances with Carl Allen coming close on the 16th minute whilst Pykett twice and Reece Hewitt once sent efforts over the bar.
However the best chance of the half fell to Wade Malley who beat the offside trap and faced a one-to-one with home keeper Adam Binks but as the lanky forward got close, Binks made a superb one-handed touch to deny Sporting a second.
The Romans though might have gone on all-squire at half-time when Scott Wesson opened up the Rouslers’ defence, passed wide to Riddell whose angled shot was well parried by Francis.
After the interval Sporting increased their lead with 5 minutes gone when Reece Hewitt was pulled down in the penalty area and Liam Spink converted. That allowed Sporting to pack the defence a bit tighter and although the Romans got into their half regularly, they were unable to make much of am impression near the goalmouth.
At the other end, Bunn was disappointed to fire over the bar on the 58th and 76 minutes whilst substitute Chris Lloyd made a dazzling run into the box only for Binks to deny him with a one-hand save; Lloyd then hit the post with the rebound.
Sporting put the game beyond their opponents on the 84th minute when Hewitt again was bought down in the box, this time Lloyd converted.
Rocester had one last attempt to get on the score sheet but Wesson’s 30-yard shot was saved by Francis.
So Sporting now face Coleshill with the date to be decided as Worcester City are also at home in the next round and it needs to be decided who will give way and play on Sunday.
Meanwhile Sporting start their league campaign with a visit to Quorn on Saturday.
Rocester: Adam Binks, James Frost, Oliver Pratt, Albert Lansdowne, Ashleigh Lynch (Capt), Carl Allen, Rob Ritchie-Smith, Scott Wesson, Oliver Roome (Peter Aliguma 70 mins), Chris Martin (Ryan Griffin 54 mins), Callum Riddell.
Substitutes not used: Matt King, Samuel Bates, Joe Blockley, Charlie Wood.
Yellows: Chris Martin (50 mins), Callum Riddell (67 mins), Albert Lansdowne (89 mins), Carl Allen (90+1 mins).
Sporting: Reece Francis, Liam Spink, Josh Quaynor (Craig Jones 75 mins), Max Loveridge, Marshall Willock, Danny Morris, John Pykett (Chris Lloyd 60 mins), Robbie Bunn, Sam Wills, Wade Malley (Jason Cowley 81 mins), Reece Hewitt (Capt).
Substitutes not used: Jack Wilson, Ben Birch, Chrisi Conway.
Goals: John Pykett (5 mins), Liam Spink (pen 50 mins), Chris Lloyd (pen 84 mins)
Yellows: Reece Hewitt (61 mins)
Referee: Mr M Thomas (Nottingham)
Assistants Mr R Powell (Stone), Mr K Swift (?)
Crowd: 196
Weather: Cool, rain. |