Report

Sporting show their spirit in final match

So this was it, after 7 years of mini and 11-a-side football Sporting played their final game ever on a beautiful morning in Coventry. It was unfortunate that we were without Harry and Browny but went into the game wanting to have fun and give some of the lads scoring opportunities who had never scored for the club.
Ryan, so impressive in goal this season arrived 10 seconds before the kick-off, Scooby, Lewie's Spaniel donned a Sporting flag around his collar and ran around happily parading it and loads of parents came to see Sporting's last hurrah!!
The game itself was a good one, Coundon dominated the first half and Sporting the second. Some nice football was played by both teams in a fair and enjoyable game. To be honest the score was irrelevant, this was an emotional day for many and i just told the lads to enjoy playing together for the last time.
In the first half Coundon played some lovely football and always looked dangerous going forward and solid at the back. Sporting's offside trap was working well most of the time and when it was dubious the ref blew for offside anyway !! After 15 minutes we conceded the only goal of the half and it was no more than Coundon deserved, for once the defence was caught and the striker gave Ryan no chance. Sporting created a couple of half chances but didn't really look like scoring.
Half Time 0-1
At half time the changes came, Ryan came out of goal and played at centre forward. Lewie, the original sub had already come on for Scott who'd picked up a knock but felt ok to return to the action for Wardy. So, Sporting switched to a 3-4-3 formation with Jack H between the sticks!
In the second half i was as proud as punch with the lads, they battled, passed, encouraged each other and dominated possession, creating a number of half chances. Then Joe injured his ankle and Wardy returned for the final 20 minutes.
The lads had decided to rotate positions to enable each other to go forward and on one notable occasion Captain James went on a superb run which nearly saw him score !
Then with 10 minutes to go Sporting conceded a second goal, everyone stopped as a ball was played through, the ref didn't know what to give so gave nothing, Coundon's striker fired over a superb cross and the ball was tucked away 0-2
The second goal signalled a gung-ho spirit in the last ever minutes of action, at one point we had 8 up front !!! Today wasn't to be our day and the emotion of the occasion spilt over at the final whistle with a number of the Sporting lads in tears that it was all over.
Final Score 0-2

So that's it, the final game for Sporting. The lads have shown glimpses all season of the kind of football they have been capable of playing. To manage them has been an absolute privilege for three years and to be involved in this team, at this club, has been a real honour. I am immensely proud that the lads have developed their skills, met new friends and progressed from a team being hammered week in week out in their first season at mini soccer into a team that challenged the best at their age group in 11-a-side.
That takes commitment, from a management and coaching team (Craig, Pete and Nick), to all the parents who are still the best and most supportive anyone could wish for, our generous sponsors Keith, John Mohamed and Nick for their support but most of all to the lads for their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm. I'll bet there aren't many teams who could boast 3 players with over 100 appearances for the team, another 6 with over 80 and many with more than 50. To me this proves the lads have loved playing together, enjoyed their football and above all had some fun while doing it.