opposition's predictable play, as they continually tried to pump the ball up the pitch to their lone striker. Graham McQuillan dealt with the aerial threat expertly, but Sporting were given a warning when Cy Boorman was caught messing around on the edge of the box with the ball. Northumberland stole the ball and drew a save from the goalkeeper.
Manager Jason Woollard was furious at his defence, and proceeded to instruct Darren Jones and Cy Boorman to stay back a bit more. The decision paid off, as Northumberland were nullified as an attacking threat. Sporting pressed all the more at the other end, but wastefulness resulted in the score remaining goalless. The biggest culprit was Paul Boorman who, having escaped from the defence and cut into the box, was presented with the opportunity to square the ball across the six yard box to Aaron Downey, who had taken up an excellent position and was currently facing an open goal. However, Paul hogged possession for too long, and the chance was lost.
Further chances fell to Downey who went close with a scissor kick, Simmonds who forced the goalkeeper into a smart stop, and Garner who shot wide of the target having evaded three defenders on the touchline. Sporting were worried it wasn't going to be their day, especially when McQuillan's free kick found Aaron Downey unmarked, and he had beaten the offside trap. The ball spun off the defender's head on the way through, causing it to dip and catch Downey in the nuts. His strike on goal was unsurprisingly weak, due to the crippling pain in his gonads. Could have been worse, as one of Northumberland's players found out, copping Terry Wilson's clearance straight in the balls.
The opener did eventually arrive, and when it did it was a thing of beauty. Lee Wilson's crossfield pass to Aaron Downey was flicked on with a header to Danny Garner out on the right. He took the defender on and beat him for pace to the byline, before trying to cut back to Downey. The ball was just behind him, but it fell straight to Anthony Boorman, who had delayed his run and timed his break into the box to perfection. he met the ball with a scything half-volley, forcing Downey to jump out the way. The movement impeded the view of the goalkeeper, who let the ball go straight through him and into the back of the net. Boorman celebrated in true "Cristiano Ronaldo" style, and Sporting found themselves deservedly 1-0 up.
After the break, Sporting continued in the same vein of form. Aaron Downey went close with a hooked effort from the edge of the box, and Keith Simmonds fired into the side netting when Downey was presented with an open goal. Sporting were pressuring Northumberland severely, and Woollard decided to chance things around to get the killer second goal. Aaron Downey was removed from the action after an hour, replacing him was Mark Jarman, and soon afterwards the second goal was fired in under freak circumstances. Lee Wilson's corner was heading for the back post, and the goalkeeper tried to tip it over the bar. He only succeeded in palming the ball into the back of his own net, and courtesy of that bit of generosity Sporting found themselves 2-0 up.
Sporting looked like they were closing the game out comfortably, until five minutes from the end of the game. Anthony Boorman's poor back header was watched by the static defence, and Northumberland's striker capitalised and fired the ball past Aaron Shaw.
Northumberland hit the post and skimmed the bar in the last two minutes, but Sporting held on for what was a deserved victory in a thrilling match.
OTHER RESULTS
Blackheath Social Reserves 0 - 3 Orpington Park (Away Win Awarded)
Mottingham Park Rangers 4 - 0 Orpington Town 3rds
New Cross Wanderers 1 - 6 Bermondsey Wall
Orpington Town 2nds 1 - 4 Savoy Sports
Valley Park Rangers 5 - 1 Belvedere Wanderers
Table
1 Orpington Town 2nds (P7 Pts 15)
2 Bermondsey Wall (P5 Pts 13)
3 Savoy Sports (P6 Pts 12)
4 Valley Park Rangers (P6 Pts 11)
5 SPORTING ST GEORGE (P5 Pts 10)
6 Northumberland Heath (P7 Pts 8)
7 Orpington Park (P6 Pts 8)
8 Belvedere Wanderers (P4 Pts 7)
9 Orpington Town 3rds (P7 Pts 7)
10 Blackheath Social Reserves (P9 Pts 6)
11 New Cross Wanderers (P6 Pts 6)
12 Mottingham Park Rangers (P6 Pts 3) |
