This was a comfortable win against a team that had outplayed Sporting in the reverse fixture two and half months ago. It was, in truth not a pretty game but was full of incident. Hampton were physical, often over physical, but could not intimidate Sporting who exposed their shaky defence time and again with debutant Chris Conway scoring a well taken hat trick.
After what, in the absence of an announcement, we all assumed was a minute's silence for Gary Speed, Sporting kicked off attacking the Town End. After scrappy early exchanges Hampton took the lead on 13 minutes, Scott Mansell taking advantage of a defensive lapse to shoot past Biddle. Within a minute Conway had forced Lewis to save at the foot of his right hand post before turning in Banner's low centre from the left with a neat back heel.
Sporting now got on top and had further opportunities, Harris firing narrowly wide and Lewis grabbing Williamson's header from under the bar. Hampton's play was becoming increasingly physical and this cost them in the 43rd minute. Liam Mansell committed a crude foul on the edge of the area prompting a free for all involving most of the outfield players. After order had been restored Mansell was booked and Kevin Banner bent a low free kick round the wall to put Sporting ahead.
Sporting dominated the early stages of the second half and nearly extended their lead after an hour, Banner's shot coming back off the inside of the post after he had been put clear by Conway's pass. Two minutes later Hampton almost scored themselves, a near post volley from a corner going just wide of the far post.
After 71 minutes Sporting finally scored the third goal that reflected their superiority with a cool finish from Conway who lifted the ball over the goalkeeper after being played in by Bradley Williamson. Within two minutes however the visitors were back in the game, Williams scoring with a twenty yard shot that bounced awkwardly just in front of Biddle. This was really a goal out of the blue as Hampton had had little to offer. "How long to go?" I was asked as we feared an anxious last few minutes.
In fact the win was never in doubt. Conway completed his hat trick on 81 minutes following up after Shaw's shot had been saved. He was immediately substituted receiving a well earned round of applause as Rob Hendry came on to replace him. It was Hendry who completed the scoring three minutes from time. Joe Brookes' long ball caught Hampton square for the umpteenth time and Hendry ran clear to score.
A comfortable win but not an entirely convincing performance. Going forward we always looked likely to score but are still accident prone at the back. The referee had a poor game and made some puzzling decisions but, in fairness, it was never easy for him with ten assistant referees in green shirts constantly telling him what to do. Hampton are not a bad side but didn't help themselves today with their approach. Sporting let their football do the talking.
Sporting. Biddle, Lismore, Harris, Jones, Brookes, Wilkes (Gareth Rogers 72), Banner, Jamie Rogers, Conway (Hendry 81), Williamson (Shaw 72), Draper
Subs Not Used: Allen, Lodge
Hampton: Lewis, Jones, Brittain, Boswell (Norris 62), Liam Mansell, Hinsley, Scott Mansell (Parfitt 65), Morrison (Richardson 62), Evans, Williams
Sub Not Used: Richardson, Dowling |