As the scoreline would suggest, this was a comfortable win for Sporting against the division's basement side. To be fair to Pelsall they have a number of problems running right through the club so credit to them for even getting a side together let alone sticking with it and doing their best for ninety minutes.
Manager Paul Smith fielded a strong side and they pretty well remained in their opponents half for the early stages. Matt Gardner and Joe Adams went close whist at the other end Pelsall's Spencer Blackham tried to lob Jake Bedford from 30 yards but the away 'keeper gathered caught the ball comfortably.
Sporting's first came on 23 minutes. Matt Gardner floating a delightful shot over the head of Jake Fogarty from 20 yards out after receiving a cross from Chrisi Conway.
Reece Hewitt made it two on 38 minutes from just outside the box after having plenty of time to line up a low drive that went under the diving home 'keeper.
Conway scored the third seconds after the interval when Fogarty spilled Simon Fitter's free-kick into the path of the striker who easily tapped home. And the stocky Irishman made it four on 61 minutes with a hard low shot from 15 yards.
Jozsef Jakab replaced Matt Gardner up front on the 69th minute and wasted no time getting on to the score sheet four minutes later. Joe Cornforth missed a tackle on the Hungarian who attempted to place his shot into the top of the net but Fogarty managed to palm the ball on to the bar that bounced out giving the striker a simple nod home.
With nine minutes to go, a tired-looking Pelsall defence allowed an unmarked Jakab to fire home his second and Sporting's sixth into the bottom left-hand corner.
Then for the last few minutes the home side rallied with winger Callum Phillips putting in a couple of good crosses and then forcing Bedford to make a low save with a free kick.
But unfortunately Sporting were not finished and with 3 added minutes on the clock, Joe Adams hit a long ball up field to Will Tibbetts who met with little resistance and knocked in Sporting's seventh.
After the final whistle, captain Simon Fitter said, "We were happy to get a win though it was hard work on a heavy pitch but fair play to Pelsall they gave us a game".
Pelsall: Jake Fogarty, Harry Rogers, Luke Holmes, Adam Johnson (Tom Turner 46 mins), James Aiton, Alistair Holding, Joe Cornforth, Mitchell Clarke (Capt.), Spencer Blackham (Jordon Spragg 56 mins), Daniel Griffiths (James Walker 52 mins), Callum Phillips.
Unused substitutes: Tony Cliff, Barry Dedman.
Sporting: Jake Bedford, Danny Morris, Jack Wilson, Simon Fitter (Capt.), Craig Jones, Ryan Mahon, Dan Carter (Sean Brain 64 mins), Reece Hewitt, Chrisi Conway (Jozsef Jakab 69 mins), Matt Gardner (Will Tibbetts 69 mins), Joe Adams.
Unused substitutes: Scott Smith, Chris Duggan.
Scorers: Matt Gardner (23 mins), Reece Hewitt (38 mins), Chrisi Conway (46, 61 mins), Jozsef Jakab (73, 81 mins), Will Tibbetts (90+3 mins),
Referee: Mr J Lunn (Wolverhampton)
Assistants: Mr P Magness (Wednesbury), Mr M Winston (Walsall)
Attendance: 63
Weather: Cool, drizzle.
Sporting Man of the Match: Simon Fitter.
