Sports Season gets going

20/11/10
Saturday U12's Cup
Clifton AW 1 Hucknall Sports 3

Dark and damp conditions welcomed Sports to this weekends Cup match with Clifton All Whites at South Notts College on Farnborough Road. Both teams had met only two weeks previously and on that occasion, despite Sports having many chances to win the game before half time, it was Clifton who won 2-1.

All Whites started the game the better of the two teams and looked dangerous with their neat style of football creating space in and around the Sports defence. But Hucknall defended well and Keeper Kal Orton's handling was solid as a rock. At the other end of the pitch James Hallam was once again a constant threat and wingers Oliver Bowley and Jacob Barlow gradually started to find some space to try and put Hallam in on goal. Shortly after sending a shot narrowly wide of the Clifton goal Sports coaches were left scratching their heads when All Whites bundled the ball into the net to take the lead with a clear foul going unnoticed. Just before half-time Sports where awarded a free-kick for a deliberate back-pass but could not find a way to goal through a packed penalty area.

Half time: Clifton AW 1 Hucknall Sports 0

For the start of the second half Sports introduced Dante Diriso and William Brown and both boys went on to make a significant impact on the game. Charlie Blatherwick and Ellis Evans began to take a firm grip of the midfield and showed some sublime passes to split the Clifton defence time and again. One such pass found its way to Hallam whose strong shot squirmed out of the goalies grasp and into the back of the net. This was just the break that Hucknall had been seeking and as a result the whole team suddenly found an extra yard of pace and the confidence came flowing back - Sports looked like the Title Winners of last year.
Then the move of the game saw Hucknall turn defence into attack when Keeper Orton threw a long ball to Thomas Eastwood who ran the length of the pitch before putting in a ball that found its way to Hallam who slotted home with the coolness of a well practiced training ground finish ;-) Blatherwick and Evans combined again to create an opening for Dirso who goal from a narrow angle saw him lifted should high in celebration from his Hucknall team mates.
Sports fans wanted more goals but the final whistle blew for a great win and we all look forward to the next round of the Cup.

Final Score: Clifton AW 1 Hucknall Sports 3

This result is great reward for a team that has worked so hard recently but without getting any reward for their efforts on Match Days. As with previous weeks there were many great performances to provide nominations for Man of the Match.
Ryan Towle and Harry Saxton both deserve a special mention for adapting well to their new positions.
Thomas Eastwood and Jacob Barlow are putting together a great partnership on the left, whilst Welsh Wizard Ellis Evans and Dante Diriso looked dangerous on the right.
Up front James Hallam continues his good run of form, both scoring and providing goals.
But for providing a solid and courageous performance in goal, today's winner was Kal Orton - brilliant Kal and well done.