



This was very much a game of two halves for Sporting. After going in at half-time with a deserved but slightly flattering two-nil lead, they then conspired to give the match away despite playing against nine men for much of the second half.
Both sides traded blows for the first fifteen minutes. Dan Creaney having the best effort for the home side forcing away 'keeper Jake Bedford into a low save, whilst Jack Wilson should have done better sending a good chance way over the bar.
Atherstone's main threat was lively striker Lee Smith and he can count himself unlucky that he did not give his side the lead on 17 minutes when the Sporting defence parted allowing him though only to see his well-struck shot hit the angle.
From then on most of the play took place in the middle of the park with both defences being well-organised and seeing off any incursions.
With just a minute to go before half-time, Sporting managed to get past the home defence when a fine ball up field from Will Tibbetts on the right found the advancing Mark Bellingham who needed just one bounce before lobbing Atherstone 'keeper, Lloyd Storer.
Just one minute later Sporting increased their advantage again with a move down the right, Matt Poyner managing to slide the ball across the face of the goal to Bellingham who had the easiest of tap-ins.
Whether Atherstone were annoyed with themselves or they had seen something the referee hadn't but tempers flared and at that point two yellow cards were brandished.
Sporting's dominance continued after the interval with debutant Liam Molesworth shooting wide whilst Will Tibbetts' effort went just over the bar.
However Atherstone were still unhappy and this boiled over on the 52nd minute when Greg Webb received consecutive yellow cards for dissent.
At that point Sporting should have taken advantage but the bizarre nature of the game continued moments later when Ben Ashby hoisted a free kick into the box from just over the half-way line. This caught Bedford in the Sporting goal by surprise and although he caught the ball whilst back-peddling he managed to over step the line. Referee Mr Hall consulted his linesman and gave the goal. Cue for Sporting to protest that Bedford has been pushed but the scoreline stood.
With their tails up The Adders now harried Sporting given them little time on the ball and the tactic worked well as the Rouslers' passing went astray and balls hoofed up the pitch were easily dealt with by the three man defence. However the home side gave their opponents another advantage when the Lee Chapman aimed a kick at Jack Wilson off the ball and like his central defending partner received a red card.
From then on all Sporting had to do was retain possession and defend the lead but this eluded them as Atherstone got their act together and looked like the team playing eleven against nine.
For the remaining 25 minutes they manage to create more chances than their visiting opponents with Jake Bedford being busier than in the first half.
However Sporting managed to hang on and gain the three points but doubts remain as to whether they would have managed that had Atherstone shown a bit more self-discipline.
Atherstone: Lloyd Storer, Dean Johnson, Dale Panter, Matt Selvester, Greg Webb, Lee Chapman, David Boal (Charlie Stockton 81 mins), Liam Bailey, Dan Creaney, Ben Ashby, Lee Smith.
Subs not used: Jordan Holmes, Steve Olanipekan, Daz Eggleton, Reece Blackmore
Sporting: Jake Bedford (Capt.), Chris Duggan, Jack Wilson, Lewis Clarke, Daniel Morris, Joe Cole, Will Tibbetts, Liam Molesworth (Daniel Dickson-McKenzie), Mark Bellingham, Matt Poyner, Stefan Ashman.
Subs not used: Brett Mander, Craig Jones, Sam Wilkinson, Carl Hind.