Manager Mark Crawford had made an overhaul to his squad this week in an attempt to boost his sides chances of continuing their fine league form.
Attentions could now be turned fully towards the league as Sporting came undone in the Club Colours Cup and after a string of good league results Sporting were ready to for this weeks game against Stowupland Falcons 'A'.
This weeks report is brought to you by special reporter N. Bailey (Embellishments D. Herrera)
Sporting started steady as they looked to grab an early goal and dominate the match early on. Sporting lined up in a new look 4-3-2-1 formation as they looked to build off of a sturdy defence and with M. Ginn and A. Brown commanding the centre of defence; Stowupland struggled to create anything in the first half, limited only to a few sparing long range efforts. Taylor stood as firm as ever and kept Stows winger at bay as Bryson, now fully embracing his A Team duties proved unflappable under pressure throughout the first half. Benwell as ever looked for the spectacular but was again left red faced as his efforts were blocked or found the keepers gloves. Sportings Midfield three fought hard and Lovejoy dominated in the air along with Benwell as Sporting looked to create something for Bailey, no joy in the first half but his time would come. Rodwell had a good first half and his guile and quick feet found Collinson on several occasions to no avail. Collinson who returned this week after a long injury absence pressed hard to show what Sporting had been missing and jinked past several Stow players but was cancelled out at the last.
The first half would end 0-0 but after a hard fought first half Sporting and Manager Mark Crawford would feel pleased going into the second half.
The second half started much as the first, with Sporting's defence standing firm with a “you shall not pass” attitude Stow were growing increasingly frustrated. Barton returning slowly to his best beat several Stow players only to be blocked out on the edge of the box. It wasn't until midway through the second half when Rodwell harassed and bullied Stow's left back to the point of a requiring a restraining order that Sporting would get their chance. Rodwell won the ball and darted down the touchline before delivering a crisp cross into the near post area in which the man of the hour Bailey pounced on like a tiger and guided the ball into the back of the net to reward Sporting's hard work with the first goal of the game and Bailey's 15th in all competitions this season.
Stowupland beagan to awake from their slumber after the goal and looked to pull one back to no avail as Bryson cancelled out several attacks down the wing as did his counterpart Taylor. The defensive pair of Brown and Ginn had been a revelation and proved to hard a task to overcome.
On 88 minutes the match would be sealed when D. Page launched a huge kick the length of the pitch which found Bailey. To say Bailey doesn't hit them from outside the box would be an understatement as all 15 goals this season had come from within the box however Bailey proved he was a man for all seasons as he hit a truly spectacular volley which fizzed and dipped past a helpless Stow keeper to win the game and surely goal of the season with one swing of his boot. Sporting saw out the game and could take two goals and all three points into the game against lowly Stonham Aspal 'A'.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT AFTER TODAYS GAME MR P. COLLINSON HAS ANNOUNCED HIS RETIRMENT AFTER INJURY HAS PROVEN TOO MUCH.
ALL OUR THANKS AND PRAYERS GO TO PETE AT THIS TME AND HE WILL BE SORELY MISSED ON THE PITCH.
WE MOVE FORWARD REMEMBERING ALL THE HARD WORK PETE PRODUCED BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD OF PLAY.
P. COLLINSON. THE A TEAM THANKS YOU.
