A confident and assured performance from Sporting not only saw them gain their first away points of the season but winning against the League leaders gave them the boost that their season needed.
With absentees and injuries giving the management team few options, Keith Draper and Graham Scott played Chrisi Conway as the lone striker in front of a five-man midfield. Newcomer Luke Dugmore came in for James Turk who is out for 6 weeks with a groin injury whilst Jack Lodge stepped up from the reserves. In the back four Mike Thurbon replaced his brother Chris. There were also congratulations for James Blake who became a Dad earlier in the week.
Wood had the edge for the first few minutes with Sporting 'keeper Francis saving well from Lewis Boyce-Taylor on the 9th minute then blocking a well-taken free-kick by Cory Currithers moments later.
However, Sporting gradually eased themselves into the match retaining the bulk of the possession. Conway worked hard up front and was frustrated with several close offside decisions. However he gave Daniel Ware in the Wood goal his first test on 27 minutes which the 'keeper blocked then five minutes later won a free-kick on the edge of the box after being fouled. Danny Deehan quickly took the kick hitting it past Ware's outstretched right arm. There were protests from the home side but referee Mr Heath allowed the goal to stand.
Sporting were now on top and Deehan should have had his second minutes later but for the left-hand post stopping his shot. Wood nearly got themselves back into the game two minutes from the interval when a fine save from Francis denied Currithers.
The second half continued where the first left off with Sporting in command but defending a narrow lead.
The much-needed second goal came on the 59th minute again from a free-kick. This time it was the impressive Luke Dugmore who was pulled down on just outside the penalty area. Deehan again took the kick floating it into the box to Mike Thurbon who drove it against defender Lee Stretton who could do little other than deflect it off the woodwork and over the line.
The Walsall side tried hard to even things up with substitute Daniel Rock having a good attempt punched away by Francis but the away back line held fast.
Wood finally found the net with four minutes to go when a Craig Deakin free-kick caught the Sporting defence napping as Harry Harris's excellent volley easily beat Francis.
So an entertaining match with the result a fair reflection of the game. Joint manager Keith Draper said afterwards that that he was very pleased with both the result and performance. The change in formation and tactics had worked well. He also commended debutants Jack Lodge and Luke Dugmore for their contributions.
Walsall (red shirts, shorts, socks, 4-5-1):
Daniel Ware; Tom Howard (Daniel Rock 60 mins), Lee Stretton (capt), Shaun Boothe, Craig Deakin; Cory Currithers, Scott Cooper (Harry Harris 54 mins), Michael Murray, Drew Aiton, Andre Gonzales (Johaine Thompson 60 mins); Lewis Taylor-Boyce.
Subs not used: Nathaniel Jones, Jamie Hawkins.
Sporting (Yellow shirts, white shorts, white socks, 4-5-1):
Reece Francis; Aaron Roberts, Nick Martin (capt), Mike Thurbon, Jamie Parker; Keith Draper Jnr, Jack Lodge, Luke Dugmore (Jovan Blake-Walker 85 mins), James Blake, Danny Deehan (Grant Baker 76 mins); Chrisi Conway (Chris Morrison 71 mins).
Subs not used: Chris Thurbon, Dan Tierney.
In July 2011 Sporting went away from Oak Park with a smash and grab 3-1 victory, albeit in a friendly, this time they came and went away with 3 hard earned, well deserved points. They outfought and out-thought Wood, there were questions asked about both their goals, but there was no argument about the result, Wood's first defeat in 8 games.
It was very competitive from the start with the visitors just having the edge. It was Wood however who threatened first on 9 minutes, Drew Aiton picking the ball up from a right wing throw, going through two tackles before hitting a rising drive that keeper Reece Francis saved comfortably. On 20 minutes a left wing free kick for Wood found Lewis Taylor Boyce in the box, in a tight situation he managed to turn and shoot but Jamie Parker and Francis closed him down quickly. A minute later he played a neat 1-2 with Aiton before finding Andre Gonzales on the left of the box but defenders got back to snuff out the danger.
A minute later a mis-hit clearance by Wood keeper Daniel Ware fell for Danny Deehan who ran on and fired a cross cum shot high over the bar.
After 30 minutes Corey Currithers broke down the Wood left, played the ball inside to Aiton whose low drive deflected off a defender and into the hands of Francis. A minute later Chris Conway was fouled just outside the D. With Wood organising the wall Deehan fired into the roof of the net, the referee waving away heated Wood defenders. 3 minutes later Conway raced onto a ball on the right of the box, his rising drive saved at full stretch by Ware. A minute later a forceful left wing run by Parker saw him pull the ball back for Deehan to blast a first time effort off the foot of the post.
Wood had the last word of the half, Taylor Boyce seeing his shot blocked, only to fall to Currithers whose low drive brought a superb save from keeper Francis to push the ball around his right hand post. The left wing corner was delivered to the far post and Shawn Boothe powered a header just too high.
The visitors were closing Wood down and frustrating them all over the park and then on 58 minutes won a disputed free kick just right of the D, James Blake rolled the ball forward, Deehan accelerated to the byeline, pulled the ball back for Mike Thurbon to hit a first time drive that deflected off a desperate defender and cannoned into the net off the inside of a post.
On 70 minutes an over-hit left wing corner was collected by Currithers wide right, his near post cross met by Lee Stretton but Thurbon and Francis deflected the ball for a corner that was easily cleared.
2 minutes later Francis played the ball forward Keith Draper flicked the ball into the path of Aaron Roberts who raced into the box but rolled his cross shot well wide.
With time running out (85 minutes to be exact), Craig Deakin delivered a right wing free kick to beyond the far post and Harry Harris scored with a brave diving header.
The visitors played the clock down as they continued to frustrate Wood. This was no fluke result, Sporting deserved the win that took Wood off the top, but it's their first Saturday away game next week when they visit Atherstone Town, no easy rehabilitation.
Bill Shaw.
Walsall Wood F.C.
