Football
Opening day setback

Atherstone Town 1 Bromsgrove Sporting 0

NOT THE ideal start for Sporting for their first outing in the Athium Midland Combination Premier Division on Saturday but they can console themselves that they played well.

Indeed manager Keith Draper thought they did enough to take all three points. particularly on the second half performance.

With several members of the squad unavailable, the joint manager had few options especially in defence where Jamie McWilliams made his debut in the centre with Joe Brookes.

Aaron Roberts switched to right back whilst Danny Deehan started his first senior game for Sporting on the left of defence.

There were two more debutants in midfielder James Blake and striker Chris Morrison signed from Conference South club Staines Town and partnered by Stuart Hall recently re-signed from Feckenham.

Both teams started quite cautiously, patiently building up attacks but creating little to cause the goalkeepers any problems.

During this spell Sporting had the better chances with Keith Draper having a shot blocked on the line whilst Morrison fired over from close range.

As the match progressed, so Atherstone began to ease themselves more into the game and on 28 minutes imposing striker Joe Boggild forced Sporting 'keeper Chris Mole into a fine reflex save to keep out a 12-yard header.

It was Boggild who make the decisive strike five minutes before half-time when he hooked in substitute Liam Potter’s cross from 15 yards out giving Mole no chance.

After the interval Sporting came out of the blocks quicker, playing with greater purpose and moving the ball round quickly but their finishing left a lot to be desired.

Turk and Deehan fired over the bar whilst Jon Rogers, playing as a right-winger, hit one shot wide whilst another required a low save from home 'keeper Sam Slater.

Atherstone seemed content to defend their narrow one goal advantage preferring to keep players in defence rather than seek to reinforce their lead.

However, that policy nearly rebounded on them when Salter tipped over a well struck Danny Deehan 30-yard drive just after the 90 minutes were up only for the lively left back to hit the bar with a free kick in the last few seconds of the match.

So disappointment for the few but loyal Sporting fans who made the trip up to North Warwickshire but they were confident that if the form was maintained wins and points will follow.

Sporting were unable to bounce back on Tuesday when their scheduled home against Brocton was postponed due to a problem with the floodlights at the Victoria Ground.

Sporting entertain Pelsall Villa this Saturday (3pm) before making the journey to Racing Club Warwick on Tuesday (7.45pm).

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