It was a bitterly cold day in the Cambridgeshire Fens but both teams provided a lively match that kept the crowd entertained if not warm and gave Sporting another three points and a consecutive hat-trick for Jason Cowley.

The Rouslers had the edge over the initial stages but it was the home outfit who took the lead on 16 minutes slightly against the run of play. Charley Sanders picked up a pass just outside the penalty area, wheeled round into a shooting position before hitting delightful shot that went into the top right-hand corner of Jono Brown's net.

Three minutes later, the Cuckoos could have doubled that lead from a Liam Hook free-kick but for a reflex save by Brown with his feet.

However, as Sporting took the game to their opponents an equaliser was always on the cards and duly came on the 28th minute when Richard Gregory posted a low drive from a Charlie Dowd cross.

Sporting's second came just a couple of minutes later when Kieran Westwood picked up a loose ball in the Yaxley box and found the gap through a crowded defence.

With the interval looming, Josh Quaynor whistled a superb free-kick from 30 yards just over the bar then moments later Sam Spencer already on a yellow card clattered Cowley but surprisingly avoided a second and the consequent early shower. However, number three for Sporting came just past the 45 minute mark. Gregory dragged a cross into Cowley's path who duly buried his shot into the bottom of James Blake's net.

Thinking they were going into the half-time break with a comfortable cushion, Yaxley though had other ideas as Matt Sparrow robbed Danny Morris two minutes into added time; his shot was parried by Brown but only to Tom Waumsley who had no problem firing past Sporting's stopper.

As expected the home side started the second half looking to even things up and nearly succeeded when Sanders hit the woodwork after referee Mr Lehane failed to spot his assistant flagging for offside. Sporting though increased their lead on 63 minutes with a Cowley screamer that went in off the underside of the bar from nearly 30 yards out.

Westwood got his second seven minutes rounding two defenders before sliding past Blake and Sparrow got a deserved goal back for his side with 71 minutes gone when he drove through a crowded box.

However, Sporting put the match well beyond their opponents with Cowley scoring with a well-placed free-kick from 25 yards.
Yaxley rallied towards the end of the ninety minutes but despite a reasonable effort from Sparrow that hit the side netting, the scoreline remained unchanged.

With several postponements due to the inclement weather, Sporting remain in second place and gain a little ground on their rivals though both Corby and Peterborough Sports have three games in hand.

Yaxley: James Blake, John-Paul Duncliffe, Fraser Garner, Joe Butterworth (Kyle Nolan 79 mins), Sam Spencer, James Ward, Matthew Sparrow, Liam Hook (Fraser Sturgess 80 mins), Thomas Waumsley (Dalton Harris 72 mins), Daniel Cotton (Capt.), Charley Sanders.

Substitutes not used: Dalton Bettles, Oliver Sutton.
Goals: Charley Sanders (16 mins), Thomas Waumsley (45+2 mins), Matthew Sparrow (71 mins)
Yellow: Sam Spencer (40 mins)

Sporting: Jono Brown, Liam Spink, Jack Wilson (Dan O'Sullivan 72 mins), Nathan Hayward, Tom Taylor, Danny Morris (Craig Jones 46 mins), Charlie Dowd, Josh Quaynor, Jason Cowley, Richard Gregory (Capt, Cameron Peters 79 mins), Kieran Westwood.

Substitutes not used: Tom Massey, Owain Taylor
Goals: Richard Gregory (28 mins), Kieran Westwood (30, 69 mins), Jason Cowley (45, 63, 74 mins)
Yellow: Nathan Hayward (27 mins)
Referee: Mr J Lehane (Leicester)
Assistants: Mr A Simpson (Melton Mowbray), Mr G Markou-Nikandrou (Leicester).

Sporting MoM: Jason Cowley

Crowd: 166
Weather: Cold, sunny.

Report: Phil Baker