Sporting returnee Will Tibbetts scored with his first touch after coming on as a substitute to help the Rouslers to a 3-1 Boxing Day win over local rivals Studley in front of a Club record crowd of 562.
The game started fairly evenly with Sporting struggling to break through a well-drilled and compact Studley defence - that also looked dangerous on the counterattack.
Most of Sporting's play came down the right flank from Liam Spink and when he won a free kick on the edge of the area, Sam Wills stepped up and came within a whisker of opening the scoring - clattering the ball against the bar.
It was shortly after this that Sporting opened the scoring with Sean Brain skipping around two Studley defenders before striking past a ex- Sporting keeper Brendon Bunn into the left hand corner.
However, Studley were still a threat on the counter attack and after a handball on the edge of the area the resulting free kick was expertly curled round the wall and into the top corner by Dan Dineen with a strike that would not have looked out of place in the Premier League.
After the break Sporting came out with intent and several chances fell to Brain and his strike partner Connor Collins without any success.
I
t took the introduction of the returning Will Tibbetts to provide the impetus for Sporting. Shortly after coming on Collins played a lovely through ball for substitute Kyle Turner. Bunn got the ball first but could only send the ball high into the air and onto the head of Tibbetts who has probably never had a more productive first touch.
After this the game opened up and became easier for Sporting and they should have scored a third before they did when a Reece Hewitt danced through the Studley midfield before passing to the third Sporting substitute, Luke Dugmore who struck home.
The final whistle was greeted with a euphoric cheer from the Sporting faithful. They now lie only 4 points behind league leaders Coventry United, although they have a game in hand over the Rouslers. The squad looks as strong as it has ever been with new signings Nathan Walker and Jake Willcox slotting in excellently.
2016 looks as though it could be a great one for Sporting
Sporting: Chris Jay, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Nathan Walker (Luke Dugmore 80 mins), Craig Jones (Capt.), Jake Willcox, Sean Brain (Kyle Turner 64 mins), Reece Hewitt, Connor Collins, Sam Wills (Will Tibbetts 64 mins), Liam Spink.
Substitutes not used: Dale Edwards, Luke Corbett
Goals: Brain (41 mins), Tibbetts (65 mins), Dugmore (87 mins)
Yellow: Tibbetts (85 mins)
Studley: Brendon Bunn, Gary Turner, Kiel Mullen Steve Evans (Oli Manoochehri 76 mins), Gary Jones, Dave Edwards (Capt.), Daniel Byford (Matt Edwards 73 mins), Dan Dineen, Danny Stokes, Jarrell Hylton (Tim Bradley 70 mins), Joe Knight.
Substitutes not used: Joe Wright, Owen Hancox
Goal: Dineen (45+1 mins)
Yellow: Turner (82 mins)
Referee: Mr O Williams (Kidderminster)
Assistants: Mr P Rodway (Rubery), Mr A Scriven (Northfield)
Crowd: 562
Weather: Windy, mild
Reporter: Adam Warner
