Sporting FC Under 18’s started their 2009/10 campaign with a thrilling 3-2 win at home to last season’s Under 17 champions Kings Norton. The old adage of football being a game of two halves was perfectly demonstrated at Brockhurst Road playing fields this afternoon with a rampant Sporting racing into a 3-0 lead at the break but Kings Norton fighting back in the second half and maybe feeling slightly aggrieved at going down 3-2 in what was a great advert for the central warwickshire league.

Sporting made the brighter start with some crisp passing and movement and were rewarded 12 minutes into the game when a Daykin through ball saw Deakin speed through the Kings Norton back line and clinically slot the ball home. Kings Norton appeared rocked by the goal and some Sporting pressure saw Honer and Nelson both going close to extending Sporting’s lead. Kings Norton finally came into the game and won a corner with 18 minutes played. The corner was pumped into the Sporting penalty area where Richards, who was immense throughout the game, chested the ball down and went on a run through the heart of the Norton back line before threading the ball through to Deakin who for the second time in the game slid the ball home to make it 2-0.

Sporting were now totally dominant, first to every ball and spraying the ball around to feet with some measured football that was a joy to watch. Deakin and Honer had already gone close to extending Sporting’s lead when with 32 minutes played Curtis Nelson burst down the left wing with a mazy dribble down to the bye line before cutting in and crossing for Honer to smash the ball home to make it 3-0.

A fired Kings Norton came out for the half determined to get something out of the game and a succession of corners early on where a statement of intent. With Kings Norton playing a high line at the back Sporting struggled to venture into the Norton half without straying offside and much of the second half was played in the Sporting half. Ten minutes into the half a Kings Norton corner was met by their number six and from the edge of the area he powered home a fantastic header to give Kings Norton hope. The visitors continued to press and Grogan twice had to save at full stretch to keep his side two goals in front. It was pretty much a backs to the wall effort for Sporting as they defended resolutely to keep Kings Norton out. Sporting did occasionally manage a threatening counter attack and Stanley twice and Holmes came close to extending Sporting’s lead.

With time running out Kings Norton’s number ten fired home from just inside the penalty area to make it 3-2 and set up a tense finale with Sporting gallantly holding on to make a winning start to the season. As Sporting totally dominated the first half Kings Norton totally dominated the second half and they may feel aggrieved at leaving Bockhurst without a point but it would have been even harsher on Sporting if their valiant rear guard action had seen a three goal lead disappear.

Two very good teams playing to a very good standard with total effort and commitment in a keenly contested encounter that was expertly officiated by a top class referee – All in all a great start to the season!