Sporting lost their unbeaten home record on a frustrating afternoon. They dominated the game more or less throughout hitting the woodwork on several occasions, having a couple of efforts cleared off the line, countless shots blocked and there were also a couple of excellent saves from Feckenham's goalkeeper. It was just one of those days and no cause for excessive despondency.
Sporting made a number of changes from the previous week, one of which saw Neil Cooksey replacing the holidaying Grant Biddle in goal while new signing Craig Jones made his debut in central defence.
Attacking the Town End they took a while to get going but soon had Feckenham on the back foot. Bright and Banner were providing good balls from the flanks which made Sporting particularly dangerous at set pieces where Keight and Barnes both caused problems. Jon Rogers had a shot cleared off the line after being played in by Wilkes before Rogers returned the favour setting up Wilkes for a shot that was well saved by Chadwick.
The visiting goalkeeper was in inspired form and just past the half hour produced a magnificent one handed save to keep out a Barnes header. Odane was having no luck and headed against the post soon afterwards. Kevin Banner then had a free kick that just cleared the bar. Little was being seen of Feckenham in attack and ex-Rousler Stuart Hall was having a quiet afternoon, his only contribution of note a shot that was comfortably saved by Cooksey. Then, in first half injury time Cooksey flapped at a cross, failed to get good contact in saving the follow up header and the ball dropped for Edwards to score from two yards. Against the run of play would be a gross understatement.
The second half followed the pattern of the first. Sporting camped out in the Feckenham half. Rogers should have done better when through on goal but hesitated and his shot was saved. Banner hit the top of the bar with a chip after being set up by Barnes and it seemed that Sporting were destined not to score until, on 74 minutes, substitute Hendry laid the ball off to Curry who scored with a low drive from 20 yards.
This was not to be the catalyst for victory we thought. Three minutes later a defensive error let in Hicks to shoot past Cooksey. Sporting continued to press and Hendry, with a header, became the third player to hit the bar and the green wall blocked several other attempts before time ran out and Sporting had a first home defeat they hardly deserved.
Let's look on the bright side. Sporting will play worse this season and win. Feckenham celebrated at the final whistle but deep down must be worried. They used up their season's supply of luck today.
Sporting. Cooksey, Bright, Harris, Griffiths (Hendry 62), Jones, Keight, Wilkes (Draper HT), Curry, Barnes, Jon Rogers, Banner
Subs Not Used: Allen, Gareth Rogers, Jamie Rogers
Feckenham: Chadwick, Ashley Bunn, Adams, Pyatt, Janes, Edwards, Burke (Byford 72), Robbie Bunn (Hicks 68), White, Hall, Roche (Briggs 79)
Sub Not Used: Deehan |