For the second away match in succession, it was a proud day for Sporting captain Craig Jones as he led his team on to the pitch for his 102nd appearance thus overtaking Jake Bedford for the Club record.
He will also be proud of the result he helped his team obtain with three points from a competitive and capable Coventry Copsewood side.
The match started a bit like a boxing bout with the two teams happy to prod and jab without trying to land any heavy blows as they sized up their opponents. Indeed it was just after six minutes before we had the first attempt on goal when Ryan Harkin forced a good save from Bromsgrove's Chris Jay. Then it was the 15th minute before Sporting's first attempt but it was well worth waiting for as Connor Collins turned in the box only to see his fine shot hammer off the cross bar.
That effort seemed to give Sporting more confidence on a heavy but playable pitch. Collins had another couple of good chances moments later whilst Dale Edwards should have done better than blast over the bar on the 36th minute.
Copsewood meanwhile were relying on fast breaks up the flanks using a couple of pacy wingers and the drier ground. One move started with Chris Wilson-King whose cross found Reese Blackmore in the box but his resulting shot was well-saved by Jay diving low.
From the kick out up field Sporting gained one of many free-kicks awarded to the two sides by Mr Clenaghan. Nathan Walker took the place kick that Copsewood centre back Jordon Simms got his head to, only to see the ball loop over his 'keeper into the net giving Sporting the lead 4 minutes before half-time.
At the start of the second period, the home side knew they had to attack and that they did, pegging Sporting back in the own half for much of the first 20 minutes. However the away back four including debutant Jake Willcox, remained solid and on the couple of times they were breached Chris Jay between the sticks made fine saves.
Gradually though Sporting re-asserted control of the game particularly after the introduction of Reece Hewitt as a substitute in mid-field and on the 71st minute they finally had an opportunity to extend their lead when Kyle Turner was brought down in the box. The unlucky tackler George Whitelaw was adjudged to be the last man by the referee after consultation with his assistant and trudged off to an early shower. Unfortunately for Sporting, the usually reliable Hewitt hit the post from the spot after comfortably beating 'keeper Dale O'Donnell.
The disappointment though only lasted a couple of minutes as Sporting gained another free-kick just outside the box that was beautifully curled into the top corner of the net by Nathan Walker from a narrow angle.
Copsewood were now looking quite tired and clearly annoyed with themselves as tempers got heated. Not just the players but also the coach who was ordered from the dugout after persistent arguing over a throw-in!
Number three for Sporting was always going to come and that arrived on the 85th minute as Sean Brain knocked over a precision cross that went from Collins to Liam Spink who had plenty of time to hit his shot in the roof of the net. Just two minutes later and number four was scored by the hard-working Collins who side-stepped O'Donnell before easily tapping home.
The awful afternoon for Copsewood continued on the 88th minute when captain Craig Civzelis received his marching orders for a dangerous tackle though remarkably they found the net 5 minutes into added time when an innocuous looking cross was bundled home by Martin Gormley.
Not the ideal ending for Sporting but the three points now propels them up to second place in the division, their highest of the season; and a good position to be in with two home matches over the break.
Coach Martin Sockett said after the match, "I am very pleased with the result. It was a solid, professional performance against a good side and now we are looking forward to Christmas".
Copsewood: Dale O'Donnell, George Whitelaw, Danny Fraser, Craig Civzelis (Capt.), Matthew Mitchell, Jordon Simms, Liam Cairns (Sean Gaffney 78 mins), Reese Blackmore (Adam Civzelis 65 mins), Ryan Harkin (Martin Gormley 65 mins), Connell Farrell, Chris Wilson-King.
Substitutes not used: Kyle Jeys, Matty Fowler
Goal: Gormley (90+4 mins)
Yellows: Blackmore (19 mins), Fraser (47 mins), Mitchell (72 mins), Gormley (87 mins).
Reds: Whitelaw (72 mins), Craig Civzelis (88 mins)
Sporting: Chris Jay, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson, Nathan Walker, Craig Jones (Capt), Jake Willcox, Sam Wills (Luke Dugmore 59 mins), Liam Spink, Connor Collins, Kyle Turner (Sean Brain 75 mins), Dale Edwards (Reece Hewitt 59 mins).
Substitutes not used: Ethan Hanks, Luke Corbett.
Goals: Walker (41, 75 mins), Spink (85 mins), Collins (87 mins)
Yellows: Dugmore (88 min)
Referee: Mr A Clenaghan (Tamworth)
Assistants: Mr S Tallis (Coventry), Mr J Ledwidge (Coventry)
Crowd: 78
Weather: Mild, windy
Sporting MoM: Nathan Walker
Report: Phil Baker
Coventry Copeswood 1 Sporting 4
Midland Football League Division One, Saturday 19th December 2015
Sometimes you need the rub of the green with a few decisions going your way. Especially when you are playing one of the top teams in the division in Bromsgrove Sporting, whose supporters made up most of the crowd.
We weren't quite good enough in truth. But the scoreline flattered the visitors and how we ended up with nine players on the pitch is a question only the referee could answer.
The first attack of note was a twisting run by Ryan Harkin and his shot was parried by the Bromsgrove goalie. Bromsgrove hit the bar and seemed set to score from another attack before Jordan Simms timely intervention.
They did however take the lead when a Nathan Walker free kick deflected off Matthew Mitchell's head over Dale O'Donnell in the Copsewood goal.
Off to the clubhouse at half time. Where Mr and Mrs Wickens were kept busy with a steady stream of customers. While they also provided the excellent buffet. Meanwhile Don told us that sheep had been invading the Alvis pitch from a neighbouring farm. The problems you get in non-league football!
The second half saw Ryan Harkin nearly score after a mix up in the Bromsgrove defence. Chris Wilson-King cut inside and his venemous shot was well saved by Bromsgrove's goalie as Copsewood applied some pressure. Danny Fraser then had an inswinging shot that was tipped over the bar.
The turning point in the match came as Bromsgrove broke away and George Whitelaw slid in to hook the ball away from the striker who was clean through on goal. The referee blew his whistle and ran over to consult the linesman! After a minutes deliberation. He sent off George Whitelaw and awarded a penalty. Without the benefit of an action replay I couldn't tell if the decision was correct and I am pretty sure the match officials couldn't either.
Anyway the penalty was struck against the post and away to safety. Bromsgrove did make it 2-0 from a free kick on the left hand side. Nathan Walker curled an excellent shot into the top corner. Dale save another free kick. Before an excellent move by Copsewood saw Martin Gormley fire just over the bar.
Bromsgrove's Liam Spink made it 3-0 with an easy shot at the far post as the Copsewood defence became stretched and it was 4-0 a couple of minutes later with Connor Collins racing through and around Dale to slot the ball home. Craig Civzelis was then red carded. Presumably for a comment to the referee. To complete an unwanted hat-trick. He then sent Stuart Dutton off from the bench. But the nine men had the final word as a cross from the right was emphatically headed home by Martin Gormley.
We have another tough match on Boxing day against the runaway league leaders at Coventry Sphinx's ground.
Copsewood Subs:- Adam Civzelis for Reese Blackmore, Martin Gormley for Ryan Harkin, Sean Gaffney for Chris Wilson-King.
Bromsgrove Sporting Team:- 1.Christopher Jay, 2. Aaron Roberts, 3. Jack Wilson, 4. Nathan Walker, 5. Craig Jones , 6. Jake Willcox, 7. Sam Wills 8. Liam Spink 9. Connor Collins, 10. Kyle Turner, 11. Dale Edwards.
Subs: L. Dugmore, E. Hanks, S. Brain, L. Corbett, R. Hewitt.
Attendance: 78
