Hucknall Sports Whites 0 Rolls Royce Leisure 1

14/1 1/09Saturday U11's Cup
Hucknall Sports Whites 0 Rolls Royce Leisure 1

Rolls knock Whites out of Cup
Blustery winds and rain battered both teams as they arrived at Newstead Recreational Ground for the Cup match between local rivals Hucknall Sports Whites and Rolls Royce Leisure. Both teams had made a good start to the season and an evenly matched contest was eagerly awaited by both sets of supporters.

Playing with a strong wind at their backs Rolls started brightly and Hucknall Goalie Kal Orton had to be on his toes to force the opposition striker wide when clean through on goal. Hucknall's midfield managed to find a way forward by playing the ball low into the strong head-wind with Dante Diriso showing good skill on the right-wing in particular. But it was Rolls who opened the scoring when seizing on a moment of hesitation in the Sports defensive line to smash a wind assisted shot over the head of Orton in the Hucknall goal. Sports were in no mood to throw in the towel and they forced a succession of corners but where unable to find a way through the well drilled Rolls defence. Whites best chance of the half came when James Hallam broke through and slotted a ball to the far post that Jacob Barlow went agonisingly close to finishing off.

Half time: Hucknall Sports Whites 0 Rolls Royce Leisure 1

After electing not to make any changes at during the half time break Hucknall started the second half with a defence splitting pass from Harry Saxton that Diriso was unlucky not to be able to take advantage of. Whites pushed forward for the equaliser playing a front line of four at times but the Rolls keeper was an equal match to any threat that was created. A series of long range free-kicks from Whites were dealt with without too much trouble and although Hucknall had most of the possession in the second half they could not create a clear cut chance. Probably their best opportunity was created from a Rylan Towle right wing cross that Hallam was unable to head on target from a difficult position. Playing on the break, Rolls had chances to extend their lead but great defending from the Sports trio of Joe Newton, Harry Saxton and Dylan Smith coupled with more brave keeping from Orton meant they kept a second half clean sheet. In the final moments of the game, and with the light fading fast, Sports players thought they had forced a penalty but the referee waved away all appeals and blew his whistle moments later to complete the game.

Final score: Hucknall Sports Whites 0 Rolls Royce Leisure 1

Considering the conditions both teams deserved huge credit for putting on an excellent exhibition of football. First Division Rolls Royce eventually won the day but Second Division Sports gave everything in search of an Cup upset.
Hucknall's Man of the Match was Dylan Smith for a fantastic performance in defence where he continually snuffed out chances for Rolls striker whilst also having the confidence to bring the ball forward to help link defence with attack - well done Dylan.

In a week that has seen one member of the Hucknall team having an extended stay in hospital football is second in our thoughts and we hope to have the entire squad back together soon.