Classy Sports fail to break down Valley

U12's Saturday Division 1
5/6/11
East Valley 2 Hucknall Sports 0

8 weeks after their last match Hucknall Sports U12's finally got back to football action with an away match against East Valley at their new ground in Arnold.
Heavy rain made for difficult conditions, but the Valley pitch was in great shape and the match was never in doubt.

Hucknall started the game playing some composed football and held possession well against a combative Valley side. Winger Jacob Barlow managed to find space to use his lightning speed to great effect to get around the back of the opposition, but his final delivery was well defended and clear chances were hard to find for Sports.
Valley took the lead by pouncing on a loose ball just outside the penalty area and scored from a lofted shot that looped agonisingly over Hucknall's keeper and into the back of the net. Sports kept playing attractive football and showed some great inter-play in tight areas of the pitch to show that training ground drills are beginning to sink in but Valley moved into a two goal lead when towering Striker Lavontie Raekwon capped off his return from injury with a well taken goal made of pure strength and guile. An unfortunate slip from striker Hallam with the goal at his mercy encapsulated Sports season and heading for the break keeper Kal Orton kept his team in the game with a penalty save.

Half time: East Valley 2 Hucknall Sports 0

Oliver Bowley and live-wire Buckly Gibson-Brown entered the game as second half substitutes seeking to provide some better threat for Sports in the attacking half of the pitch but once again with Hucknall having the majority of possession they still could not muster a clear chance on goal. Long range efforts from Dante Diriso, Captain Thomas Eastwood and Gibson-Brown were all that Hucknall had to show for their skill and effort. Ryan Towle, Dylan Smith and Joe Newton shut out Valley at the other end of the pitch but Sports just could not find a way to goal.

Full time: East Valley 2 Hucknall Sports 0

It's hard to find the words to describe how frustrating this season is proving to be, but there are plenty of games left for Sports to secure enough points to preserve their status as a Division One team.
Man of the Match today went to the well deserving Dylan Smith. His tackling skill and ability going forward were a pleasure to watch and appreciated not just by his own team but also the opposition Manager. Well done Dylan and we look forward to many more memorable games with you in a Red and White shirt.