Having gone 6 weeks without a league game, Sporting were finally back in competitive action this morning with an away trip to Olney. Conditions were tough, wind and rain along with a poor pitch meant this was never going to be the moment for tiki-taka football. However, the main thing was that the game was on.

One advantage of the mini mid-season break was that it had given Ben some time to dip into the transfer market. With personal terms agreed, the medical passed and the league paperwork in place, new signing Fin was cleared to make his debut for Sporting.

Onto the game itself and it was a lively start. Sporting were twice caught napping in the opening few minutes, with the Olney forward twice getting in on goal down the right hand side. A good stop from Chris on the first effort and a saving tackle from Connor on the second effort meant the score remained goaless.

At the other end Sporting were looking dangerous themselves, with Josh Green and Fin combining nicely to create some early openings, the pick of which saw Fin come close with a well struck early shot.

As the half wore on it was Olney that started to control more of the play and they were getting chances too but not making them count. Mid-way through the half Sporting made them pay for this with a clinically taken goal. Chris played the ball out to left back Charlie, who threaded a nice ball down the line to left midfielder Michael, who in turn got his head up and played a cross into the middle. At first it looked like Fin would get on the end of it but actually it ran beyond Fin to Josh Green. Josh found himself in on goal and made no mistake slotting the ball home. 1-0 Sporting.

The goal didn’t change the pattern of play though and Olney continued to push forward. Chris was by far the busier of the two keepers and he proceeded to make a string of saves to keep Sporting’s lead intact.

Sporting were largely playing on the break but did still look dangerous. Joshua Goble and Jayden were in centre midfield and although it wasn’t the easiest of conditions for them to play in, it was noticeable when each of them got their foot on the ball and made some passes. One such move ended with Fin through on goal, only stopped by a great covering tackle by an Olney defender. Shortly after Cyril looked to be in a great position bursting in from the right wing, stopped by another good Olney tackle. However, the resulting corner saw Sporting double their lead. Cyril dusted himself off and played in the corner. Big Joshua Goble had been sent up for the corner and he got a glancing touch before the ball came off some combination of an Olney defender and Josh Green, ending up in the back of net. It wasn’t clear who got the final touch but Josh very helpfully clarified later that the goal was his. Thanks Josh, the dubious goals panel will be very glad you’ve saved them a job.

2-0 Sporting and that’s how it stayed as we headed into halftime.

A change in formation for the second half saw Sporting move Michael and Will into centre midfield alongside Joshua Goble, with just one man up front. This certainly helped stem the tide of chances that Olney had been creating and it was Sporting that came closest in the opening stages of the half. Charlie, now playing left midfield, had two openings down the left hand side, one shot he put wide and then minutes later he had another well saved by the Olney keeper.

Olney kept coming at Sporting however and mid-way through the second half they finally got the breakthrough that they’d deserved. Sporting never really dealt with a corner. Chris made a good diving save to his left but the ball came back into the box and after a bit of a scramble was bundled home. 2-1 Sporting.

The remaining 15 or 20 minutes was nip and tuck. Olney were desperately pressing for the equaliser and threw their big centre back up front. However, the Sporting back four of Jack, Ryan, Connor and George were holding firm and clear chances for Olney were limited.

If anything Sporting will feel they could have nicked another goal. Jayden was on at right midfield and played some lovely through balls that just wouldn’t quite fall for Fin or Josh. There were various half chances that agonisingly didn’t quite go Sporting’s way, the best of the bunch when Fin looked set to score from a corner but somehow the Olney keeper blocked his effort on the line.

As the minutes ticked down Sporting were collectively working their socks off to pick up all 3 points. The only real scare came moments from the end when Olney’s centre forward got a shot away in the box but, luckily for Sporting, it was straight at Chris.

With seconds remaining Will decided it was time for some game management when, standing close to the touch line, he launched the ball in the wrong direction but safely off the pitch as far as possible - ‘ave it.

The tactics worked though, with the full time whistle blown shortly after, 2-1 to Sporting the final score.

Well played to all the boys today. Tough game, tough conditions but collectively we pulled together to get the win.

As usual the Gartec Player of the Match had several candidates but Chris got the nod for his heroics between the sticks, well played Chris.

Heroics on the sideline too from our Lino’s, Ben in the first half and Mark in the second half, thanks as always.