Hucknall Sports White 2 Cotgrave Colts 1

6/2/10
Saturday U11's Division 2
Hucknall Sports White 2 Cotgrave Colts 1

Battling Win for Whites
Mild weather greeted both sides as they arrived in Newstead for this Division 2 match between Hucknall Sports and Cotgrave Colts. Earlier in the season Sports had romped to an 8-0 victory over Colts but after their fantastic win over second placed Radcliffe it was a totally different Cotgrave side this weekend.

Whites started steadily, but for the second week running they found it difficult to get their silky passing game going on a heavy pitch. Hucknall striker James Hallam had the best of the early chances but Colts keeper stood firm and kept his team in the game early on with a string of fine saves. Sports were awarded a penalty when a clumsy tackle by the Cotgrave central defender felled Hallam. Up stepped Jacob Barlow, seemingly oblivious to the pressure of the moment, to took the ball low into the bottom corner. Hucknall pressed for a second but Colts defended well and took the match into the break with the score 1-0 to Hucknall.

Half time: Hucknall Sports Whites 1 Cotgrave Colts 0

Injuries to James Hallam and the early withdrawal of Ellis Evans and Oliver Bowley meant that a reshaped Hucknall took to the pitch in the second half with William Brown and Tyler Johnstone forming a new strike partnership. A thundering run and cross from Kieran Wilson presented a gilt-edged chance to Sports but they just could not force the ball into the net. Cotgrave began to find space in midfield and started to pressure Sports defensive line. The scores were levelled when Colts intercepted a clearance and scored a neatly taken goal.
The game really hotting up now and this was a real test for Hucknall, probably the toughest game the team had played in all season. Sports keeper Kal Orton produced two great saves, one with his face to stop Colts from going into the lead. Then thankfully for Whites a strong run from Jarrod Davies saw the ball find its way to Jacob Barlow who slotted into the net for his second of the game. Still Cotgrave refused to admit defeat. A poor tackled on Joe Newton forced yet more changes for the last minutes of the game with James Hallam playing at right-back but as Hucknall were about to bundle the ball into the net for their third the final whistle blew.
Cotgrave fans celebrated a fantastic battling performance by their boys and Sports looked mightily relieved to secure victory.

Final score: Hucknall Sports Whites 2 Gotgrave Colts 1

Hucknall Management rated Sports ten-out-of-ten for effort, but only three-out-of-ten for performance. However, to win games when not playing well keeps the points adding up at the top of the league.
Man of the Match was a competition between Goalkeeper Kal Orton and two-goal Winger Jacob Barlow with the final decision going to Barlow who remained cool under pressure for both his precious goals - well done Jacob (and Kal).