U12's Saturday Division One
2/ 4 /11
Clifton AW 2 Hucknall Sports 3
Sports got back to League action looking to put last weeks semi-final exit behind them in a bottom of the table match with Clifton All Whites.
The welcome site of a well organised senior referee set the tone for an excellent game of football. Clifton started well and playing with a strong wind at their backs laid siege to the Sports goal with a wave of attack after attack. Hucknall's back line looked stretched at times and had to work very hard to keep the ball out of the net. Kal Orton made a string of great saves and Dylan Smith, Tom Eastwood, Joe Newton and Ryan Towle all defended extremely well. However, good work in midfield by All Whites created a well taken goal. But Sports have found confidence in recent performances and were not about to give in. Ellis Evans played a great ball into Buckly Gibson-Brown (Captain) and his cultured shot with the outside of his boot narrowly missed the target. Time and again the off-side flag was raised to frustrate Hucknall's strikers but eventually Gibson-Brown found a way through and slotted home to draw the teams level just before half-time.
Half time: Clifton AW 1 Hucknall Sports 1
Oliver Bowley gave Sport the perfect start to the second half when he coolly slotted the ball home from just inside the penalty area after unselfish work from Jacob Barlow. But Sports were forced into more changes when Bowley was replaced by William Brown after receiving a heavy blow to the head. Hucknall created chance after chance to close out the game with James Hallam, Gibson-Brown and Charlie Blatherwick all going close. Hallam smashed another chance against the post and Barlow saw a shot go narrowly wide of the far post. Then with only 10 mins left All Whites were awarded a penalty when Ryan Towle was unluckily adjudged to have handled the ball. Sport Keeper Orton only narrowly avoided stopping the ball hitting the back of the net. This was cruel luck for Sports but showing real character a driving run from Sports Tom Eastwood forced a throw-in just inside Clifton's half that found Barlow in space on the left side. He cut into the edge of the box and with the goalkeeper advancing of his line he brilliantly lofted the ball over him and into the back of the net - what a goal, what a winner.
Sports played sensibly for the final minutes and celebrated wildly their first win of the season at the final whistle.
Final score: Clifton All Whites 2 Hucknall Sports 3
If Sports had not got victory out of this game then they would have had every right to be really disappointed but thankfully their determination to win saw them get to result they deserved and we all know that that has not happened very often this season.
In a game of high standards there were stand-out performances from a number of boys with Bowley, Hallam, Blatherwick, Barlow and Gibson-Brown all doing well. Midfielder Mitch Davies continues to play fantastically well, but today's winner was Ryan Towle who eventually worked out how to play the difficult conditions and showed great discipline by doing the right things at the right time in the heart of defence.
We will need a number of performances like this before the end of the season, but it is clear that this team has the ability and with that they now have the confidence - Come on boys let's show Division One what we can do!
Phew, what a game!!!
Friday, 8 April 2011
Semi-final agony for Sports
U12's Saturday Semi-Final
26/ 3 /11
Dunkirk 6 Hucknall Sports 2
Having endured a tough League campaign Hucknall arrived at Clifton Bridge determine d to make the most of their semi-final clash with high-flying Dunkirk Colts who remain unbeaten in the league this year.
Playing on a massive pitch and having to make the teamtalk outside due to a total blackout in the Away teams changing rooms Sports started the game somewhat shaken and were put under pressure straight away. A hard surface made judging the bounce of the ball very difficult and Hucknall's defence struggled to clear their lines. Dunkirks pressure was rewarded with a goal but almost immediately Sports nearly got back into the game when a clever pass from Charlie Blatherwick narrowly failed to find Buckly Gibson-Brown in the oppositions penalty area. Dunkirk were relentless and in a short spell before half-time scored three quick goals (with more than a hint of a question mark over two of them) to go into the break with comfortable lead.
Half time: Dunkirk 4 Hucknall Sports 0
With the advantage of a strong wind at their back Sports took to the field with a new look midfield of Mitch Davies, Blatherwick and James Hallam. Up front, Oliver Bowley and Gibson-Brown formed the front-two. Sports were awarded a free-kick midway into the Dunkirk half and up-stepped Ryan Towle to put the goalie to the test. His free-kick could only be parried by Colts Keeper and the quick thinking Gibson-Brown cooly slotted home. Dunkirk looked rattled and when Gibson-Brown repeated the move 5 minutes later you could see the panic in Colts back-line and the instructions from the sidelines got louder and louder, if that were possible :-)
But in pushing forward Sports inevitably left gaps in their backline and without regular defender Dylan Smith to snuff out chances on the right-handside Dunkirk got themselves back on steady ground and the game was lost when a mix-up in Sports defence presented a open goal.
Final score: Dunkirk 6 Hucknall Sports 2
I am sure that the lack of lights in the Away teams dressing room and unhelpful remarks from the Dunkirk fans were totally out of the control of anyone connected with the team, but this game left Sports with a nasty taste in their mouths.
A long over due Man of the Match Award went to Buckly Gibson-Brown who's two goals really lifted the team and asked a question of Dunkirk that it is clear they were not expecting given the half-time score. Well done Buck and we look forward to more performances like this in the final games of the season.
26/ 3 /11
Dunkirk 6 Hucknall Sports 2
Having endured a tough League campaign Hucknall arrived at Clifton Bridge determine d to make the most of their semi-final clash with high-flying Dunkirk Colts who remain unbeaten in the league this year.
Playing on a massive pitch and having to make the teamtalk outside due to a total blackout in the Away teams changing rooms Sports started the game somewhat shaken and were put under pressure straight away. A hard surface made judging the bounce of the ball very difficult and Hucknall's defence struggled to clear their lines. Dunkirks pressure was rewarded with a goal but almost immediately Sports nearly got back into the game when a clever pass from Charlie Blatherwick narrowly failed to find Buckly Gibson-Brown in the oppositions penalty area. Dunkirk were relentless and in a short spell before half-time scored three quick goals (with more than a hint of a question mark over two of them) to go into the break with comfortable lead.
Half time: Dunkirk 4 Hucknall Sports 0
With the advantage of a strong wind at their back Sports took to the field with a new look midfield of Mitch Davies, Blatherwick and James Hallam. Up front, Oliver Bowley and Gibson-Brown formed the front-two. Sports were awarded a free-kick midway into the Dunkirk half and up-stepped Ryan Towle to put the goalie to the test. His free-kick could only be parried by Colts Keeper and the quick thinking Gibson-Brown cooly slotted home. Dunkirk looked rattled and when Gibson-Brown repeated the move 5 minutes later you could see the panic in Colts back-line and the instructions from the sidelines got louder and louder, if that were possible :-)
But in pushing forward Sports inevitably left gaps in their backline and without regular defender Dylan Smith to snuff out chances on the right-handside Dunkirk got themselves back on steady ground and the game was lost when a mix-up in Sports defence presented a open goal.
Final score: Dunkirk 6 Hucknall Sports 2
I am sure that the lack of lights in the Away teams dressing room and unhelpful remarks from the Dunkirk fans were totally out of the control of anyone connected with the team, but this game left Sports with a nasty taste in their mouths.
A long over due Man of the Match Award went to Buckly Gibson-Brown who's two goals really lifted the team and asked a question of Dunkirk that it is clear they were not expecting given the half-time score. Well done Buck and we look forward to more performances like this in the final games of the season.
No Reward for Sports Dominance
U12's Saturday Division 1
19/ 3 /11
Hucknall Sports 1 Underwood Villa 4
Great weather and playing surface greeted both teams as they arrived at Goosedale for this League One relegation 6-pointer between Sports and Underwood Villa.
Sports started well and created many chances through their good play with Mitch Davies and Charlie Blatherwick dominating midfield possession. But Hucknall's attacking threesome looked laboured at times and the the final pass from midfield just could not find its man. Despite dominating play Hucknall were caught out by a free-kick hoofed over top just before half to go into the break losing 1-0.
Half time: Hucknall Sport 0 Underwood Villa 1
Sports were never out of this game at 1-0 down, but in charging forward looking for the equaliser they were caught out on the break with 3 goals in short space of time to trail 4-1 with 10 minutes to go. Clear-cut chances were hard to find for Sports, but a Ryan Towle free-kick was probably the closest Hucknall came to scoring. James Hallam, Charlie Blatherwick and Ellis Evans all attempted to test the 'stand-in' Villa Keeper Jacob Beer but without success. Blatherwick did manage to connect with a header from a Sports corner to suggest another fight back, but the clock ran out all too soon and Villa celebrated victory at the final whistle safe in the knowledge that they had created a 5-point gap at the bottom of the table.
Full time: Hucknall Sports 1 Underwood Villa 4
Considering their first half dominance Sports really should have been out of site by half time, but the goals just did not come and all credit to Villa for weathering the early storm. Hucknall need learn some patience and going a goal down with 30 mins still let to play does not mean that all shape and positions are abandoned. There is enough quality in this team to get back into any game but only if discipline and positioning is maintained.
Get to bed early this Friday and turn up refreshed and ready for our semi-final with Dunkirk on Saturday.
The Man of the Match was a close run thing between Tom Eastwood, Mitch Davies and Charlie Blatherwick, with the aware going to Charlie in the end - well done in your new position and we look forward to more of the same next week.
19/ 3 /11
Hucknall Sports 1 Underwood Villa 4
Great weather and playing surface greeted both teams as they arrived at Goosedale for this League One relegation 6-pointer between Sports and Underwood Villa.
Sports started well and created many chances through their good play with Mitch Davies and Charlie Blatherwick dominating midfield possession. But Hucknall's attacking threesome looked laboured at times and the the final pass from midfield just could not find its man. Despite dominating play Hucknall were caught out by a free-kick hoofed over top just before half to go into the break losing 1-0.
Half time: Hucknall Sport 0 Underwood Villa 1
Sports were never out of this game at 1-0 down, but in charging forward looking for the equaliser they were caught out on the break with 3 goals in short space of time to trail 4-1 with 10 minutes to go. Clear-cut chances were hard to find for Sports, but a Ryan Towle free-kick was probably the closest Hucknall came to scoring. James Hallam, Charlie Blatherwick and Ellis Evans all attempted to test the 'stand-in' Villa Keeper Jacob Beer but without success. Blatherwick did manage to connect with a header from a Sports corner to suggest another fight back, but the clock ran out all too soon and Villa celebrated victory at the final whistle safe in the knowledge that they had created a 5-point gap at the bottom of the table.
Full time: Hucknall Sports 1 Underwood Villa 4
Considering their first half dominance Sports really should have been out of site by half time, but the goals just did not come and all credit to Villa for weathering the early storm. Hucknall need learn some patience and going a goal down with 30 mins still let to play does not mean that all shape and positions are abandoned. There is enough quality in this team to get back into any game but only if discipline and positioning is maintained.
Get to bed early this Friday and turn up refreshed and ready for our semi-final with Dunkirk on Saturday.
The Man of the Match was a close run thing between Tom Eastwood, Mitch Davies and Charlie Blatherwick, with the aware going to Charlie in the end - well done in your new position and we look forward to more of the same next week.
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