A tough encounter for Sporting who had to overcome difficult conditions and uncompromising opponents to claim a place in the Les James Challenge Cup Final, the Midland Football League's trophy for teams outside the Premier Division.
A strong, gusty wind blew around the Allard Way ground and along with a soft uneven pitch favoured neither the skilful players nor those better a playing the ball off the ground. Add to that the tight closing-down tactics of Copsewood meant that the Rouslers had their work cut out right from the kick-off.
Sporting played an unusual formation with Simon Fitter in front the back four whilst Josh McKenzie played up front as the lone striker.
However it was the home side's fast breaks that nearly caught out the Sporting defence as early as the 2nd minute when Jake Bedford had to save at the feet of Laurence Rawlings. Then 20 minutes later Martin Gormley could have given the Coventry side the lead but he just failed to toe-poke home Dominic Alleyne's cross.
McKenzie was proving to be a problem for the home defence and attracted up to three markers every time to got the ball but despite his efforts (and regularly being fouled) Sporting were unable to convert possession into chances.
With Copsewood unable to maintain their close-marking game, Sporting found themselves with a bit more space in the second half and had their best chance of the game to that point when Will Tibbett's shot was cleared off the line on 58 minutes after Fitter's excellent free-kick into the box.
Not to be out done, Copsewood should really have taken the lead on 66 minutes when Connell Farrell evaded Craig Jones' tackle and with just Bedford to beat, put his angled shot wide of the left-hand post.
Sporting's persistence finally paid off and they took the lead with 77 minutes on the clock when Danny Morris put a long throw into the box and following a goal-mouth scramble Lewis Clarke blasted into the net from just a few yards out.
Eight minutes later the Bromsgrove side got their second and effectively put the match beyond the reach of their opponents in pretty similar circumstances. This time though it was another excellent free-kick into the box from Simon Fitter, Lewis Clarke got a nod on and after an attempted clearance by the Copsewood defence, Chrisi Conway latched on to a loose ball and drove home from short range.
Including stoppages there was still 10 minutes to play, during which time Sporting's tactics were to defend solidly and retain possession. That worked well apart Jack Wilson getting a second yellow card moments before the final whistle.
So at the conclusion Sporting overcame difficult conditions and tough opponents and will now play either Southam United or Littleton in the final at Walsall's Bescot Stadium on Wednesday 6th May.
Copsewood: Dale O'Donnell, Andy Wilson-King, Danny Fraser, Craig Civzelis (Capt.), Michael Quirke, Matty Fowler, George Whitelaw (Connell Farrell 27 mins), Liam Cairns, Martin Gormley, Laurence Rawlings (Petajon Gordon 84 mins), Dominic Alleyne.
Unused substitutes: Ben Atkins, Stuart Adamson.
Yellow: Craig Civzelis (58 mins), Michael Quirke (78 mins)
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Chris Duggan, Danny Morris, Simon Fitter, Scott Smith (Capt, Chrisi Conway 53 mins), Craig Jones, Will Tibbetts, Reece Hewitt (Danny Ludlow 90+2 mins), Josh McKenzie (Jozsef Jakab 80 mins), Lewis Clarke, Jack Wilson.
Unused substitutes: Ross Dempster, Sean Brain
Scorers: Lewis Clarke (77 mins), Chrisi Conway (85 mins),
Yellows Josh McKenzie (75 mins), Jack Wilson (89 mins)
Red: Jack Wilson (90+5 mins, second yellow)
Referee: Mr R Cutts (Birdingbury, Warks)
Assistants: Mr T Wainman (Tamworth), Mr C Beecham (Tamworth)
Attendance: 101
Weather: Cool, gusty
Sporting Man of the Match: Lewis Clarke
