It was always going to be tough for Sporting to hang on to top spot with the chasing pack gaining on them but nobody factored in a loss against basement team, Knowle Reserves. This result now leaves Sporting's chance of promotion, let alone retaining the leadership, dependent on their rivals dropping points against lower ranked opposition.
The Knowle team that turned up this time were far better organised and more capable than the outfit that lost 6-1 at the Victoria Ground a few weeks ago. This was of no surprise with several changes of personnel and a sprinkling of first team players in the line-up.
The first half produced hardly any incidents of note with both sides only having a couple of half-hearted chances each. Knowle striker Scott Oliver however gave notice of intent on 42 minutes when he evaded a couple of tackles and went straight through the Sporting defence before Jim McGettrick gathered up his weak shot.
Stuart Hall started the second half in place of Jamie Siviter and after spending much of the first half hitting long balls up field to Odane Barnes, Sporting did try to move the ball around and play their more natural passing game but the dreadful state of the uneven and hard pitch made this type of play virtually impossible.
Nick Harris scuffed his shot past the right hand post on 47 minutes whilst Stuart Hall failed to control a good overhead pass from Barnes in front of an open goal on 54 minutes. However the best chance of the match for Sporting came a minute later when Zac Blood had an effort cleared off the line and Stuart Hall hit the rebound just over the bar.
Up until then, Knowle tactics had been to pack the defence and rely on breaks and this paid off for them on the 63rd minute when they won a free-kick about 35 yards out. This was duly delivered into the box where burly centre-half Jamie McWilliams had a free header, which he easily powered into the top corner leaving the hapless Jim McGettrick stranded.
Dan Wilkes came on for Zac Blood and Sporting again tried moving the ball around but too many passes failed to reach their target and the back four for Knowle remained solid. The push forward and only playing three at the back left Sporting dangerously exposed and this proved to be the case on 73 minutes when Scott Oliver beat the offside trap then skilfully rounded Jim McGettrick for Knowle's second.
Sporting huffed and puffed for the remainder of the second half and were at least rewarded when Nick Allen headed in from a corner well after the 90 minutes were up. Even a generous five minutes added time was not enough for Sporting to gain a point.
So disappointment all round and longer faces than have ever been seen in the bar afterwards. However fair do's to Knowle, they got their tactics right and deserved their win. Although the pitch was a major factor both teams had to play on it and the home team coped better with the conditions.
Knowle (red/black shirts, black shorts, red socks) - Robert Dolman, Dave Jones, Dave Rogers Justin Barnes 55 mins), Ian Wood, Jamie McWilliam, Neil Farnell, Lee Gough (Capt.), Rob Middleton (Stef Abonandi 62 mins), Scott Oliver, James Myatt (Sam Lufton 75 mins), Anthony Weston.
Subs not used: Miles Fricker, Matt Wynne.
Sporting (green shirts, white shorts, green socks): Jim McGettrick, Ryan Molesworth (Chris Bright 62 mins), Gareth Rogers, Nick Allen, Neil Cooksey, Joe Brookes, Nick Harris, Jamie Rogers (Capt.), Odane Barnes, Jamie Siviter (Stuart Hall 46 mins), Zac Blood (Dan Wilkes 67 mins).
Subs not used: James McKeon, Richard Griffiths.
