After a disappointing midweek result Sporting bounced back with a comprehensive victory over Lichfield City at the Victoria Ground on Saturday.
Man of the match Chris Conway scored twice but could have had a hatful as he missed three times when clean through, the first time as early as the 11th minute. Sporting had the ball in the net on 17 minutes but to the bemusement of the crowd and players it was disallowed for a push. Two minutes later, the score was 1-0 as Lichfield defender Worrall headed a Brookes free kick, for a foul on the lively Rogers, towards his own goal and Conway put on a finishing touch before it crossed the line.
On 29 minutes, another Conway strike was disallowed for offside and four minutes later Sporting gained a penalty as the linesman saw a handball in the area. Brookes struck it reasonably well but too close to keeper Johnson who beat the ball away. In the 36th minute, Conway broke clear again only to chip the ball over the keeper and the crossbar so at half-time it was 1-0 to Sporting.
Supporters were concerned Sporting might regret the missed chances but nerves were settled on 57 minutes as Conway hit a fierce shot from 20 yards past the keeper to make it 2-0. Sporting then settled down to playing some even better football and in 70th minute two became three as James Blake was able to find space to cut in on the left edge of the area and beat Johnson low down at his near post.
Again on 75 minutes the Sporting midfield played in a forward and this time Jon Rogers made no mistake from his one on one with the keeper to make it four goals to nil. Sporting continued to create chances and Blake managed to hit the post in the 77th minute when well placed.
After such domination, Sporting fell asleep at the back as substitute Bennett pulled one back for Lichfield. This turned out to be a consolation and the referee, Mr Lindsey, had an afternoon of card waving which culminated in a second yellow card for Lichfield centre back Todd Perry in the 82nd minute which left just one more chance for Conway to waste as he went one on one with the keeper again but chose to try and play Rogers in and the ball was cleared.
Overall, Sporting will be pleased with their home form and now just need to find a way to put a sequence of results together away from the Victoria Ground.
Sporting team: Mole, Martin (Cpt), Parker, Thurbon (Roberts 66), Brookes, Turk, Draper (Baker 77), Blake, Conway, Rogers, Deehan (Bright 74) Subs not used: Lodge, Jenvey
Lichfield City: Johnson, White, Hunt (Ashmore 66), Worrall (Bourne 35), Perry, Bloxham, Morgan(Bennett 59), Reece, Gough, Rose, Holt.
