This defeat against the league leaders which almost ends Sporting's promotion chances is all the more disappointing for the fact that Sporting showed themselves to be at least the footballing equals of the team who will probably be champions. This was, as expected, a very close game and one goal was always likely to settle it. That it was a fluke goal is little consolation.

In attractive rural surroundings Sporting began brightly and Barnes and Wilkes both went close in the early minutes. Blackwood, as befits a team playing in Inter Milan's colours, were competitive and physical seeking to close down space in midfield and quick to the tackle. They were occasionally over physical and Woakes saw yellow early on for an aerial assault on Chris Bright. They were well organised in defence and quick to counter when Sporting attacks broke down as they frequently did with misplaced passes at key moments and both Stuart Hall and Odane Barnes having off days. But they too found it hard to create openings as both Nick Allen and Richard Griffiths had good games in defence.

It was symptomatic that the closest either team came to a goal in the first half was a cross from Gareth Rogers that came back off the inside of the far post. The pattern of the game was of scrappy and competitive midfield exchanges with defences quick to cancel out any threat when either side attacked. A half time score of nil-nil fully reflected the play.

After half time it was Sporting who pushed the Nerazzurri back forcing a number of corners from one of which Nick Allen headed just wide before Richard Griffiths fired over after being set up by Odane Barnes' knockdown.

After an hour, however, Sporting fell behind against the run if play. Woakes advanced down the left and sent in a high cross which dipped underneath the bar and went in. A lucky goal but one that knocked The Rouslers out of their stride and Blackwood began, for the first time, to dominate.

As Sporting looked for an equaliser the game opened up and Blackwood threatened further goals on the break with both Snape and Clarke wasting good opportunities. Sporting could find no way past Blackwood's superbly organised defence. The regularity with which Hall and Barnes were caught offside was particularly frustrating.

Towards the end McGettrick had to save well from headers by Bell and Woakes. There was further goalmouth action in injury time, which I could barely see as the game finished in semi-darkness. It was wildly optimistic of Blackwood to schedule a 6.45 kick-off. It was cloudy before the start and light was always likely to be a problem. If it had been raining the match would surely have had to be abandoned. As people had paid to watch this is simply not good enough.

Neither were Sporting quite good enough to get the win they needed. The forwards struggled against the Division's tightest defence and the midfield quartet, despite working tirelessly, lacked the usual creative spark. Blackwood are having to play a gruelling 16 games in 6 weeks and continue to win regularly. If they win the league they will be worthy champions. And they can still do us a favour by beating Lichfield. All Sporting can do now is beat Perrywood and hope.

Blackwood: Mills, Hudson, Woakes, Fitzgerald, Grant, Hill, Thorp, Bell, Snape, Richmond (Clarke 59), Lucas (Johnson 75)
Subs Not Used: Busst, Tilsley, John

Sporting. McGettrick, Lismore, Gareth Rogers, Allen, Griffiths, Brookes, Dan Wilkes, Jamie Rogers, Barnes, Hall, Bright
Subs Not Used: Brighton, McKeon, May, Cooksey, Matt Wilkes