Heartbreak for Sports once again

U12's Saturday Division 1
7/5/11
Hucknall Sports 3 West Bridgford Spiders 4

This Saturday saw County Cup winners West Bridgford Spiders travel to Wigwam Playing Fields for Sports U12's Division One match with Hucknall looking for points to move them off the bottom of the table. Light rain made the playing surface perfect for a good game and Hucknall looked forward to playing against a team renowned for being one of the most skilful in the division.

With only Mitch Davies and Dante Diriso missing Sports were able to field an almost full strength side and looked much more solid in midfield thanks to the return of Charlie Blatherwick. A crunching tackle from the rejuvenated Harry Saxton in the first five minutes set the tone for Hucknall's defence and midfield to be first to the ball and win all the 50/50 challenges. West Bridgford simply could not get into their stride and Hucknall took a deserved lead when James Hallam wriggled round the last defender to slot the ball into the bottom corner. Hallam and Buckly Gibson-Brown continued their progress as a striker partnership and a great cross narrowly evaded left winger Jacob Barlow at the far post with Sports looking to extend their lead even further. Sports robust defending saw them concede a couple of free-kicks just on the edge of their own penalty area but solid keeping from Kal Orton removed any chance of a goal being scored. Ryan Towle and Joe Newton remained solid at the heart of defence, Dylan Smith and Oliver Bowley performed well together on the right-side and Tom Eastwood won everything on the left to help to take Sports into half-time leading 1-0.

Half time: Hucknall Sport 1 West Bridgford 0

Humid conditions sapped energy from Sports wary legs and injury to Hallam meant that Hucknall had to reshuffle their line up with William Brown starting up front and Ellis Evans slotted into right midfield. Great work from the Blatherwick created an opportunity to for Barlow to get around the back of Spiders defence to fashion a chance for Brown to shoot but Spider's last ditch block did just enough to clear the ball. Almost from the break Bridgford drew level and Sports clamoured for Hallam to rejoin the game - which despite injury he manfully did. The game then entered its best phase of football with both teams playing great stuff. Firstly, Sports retook the lead with a goal from Gibson-Brown only for Spiders to draw level. A fantastic break by Sports saw a wonderful move result in Hallam smashing low to help Sports retain the lead with on 10 minutes to go. Hucknall could have extended their lead further when Barlow narrowly missed a great opportunity at the far post after a blistering run and cross from Hallam.
But things were not finished yet and Hucknall were left heartbroken when a fisted clearance from Kal Orton hit the Spiders striker in the face and rebounded into the back of the net to level the scores. The final blow arrived when Joe Newton was carried off with an ankle injury and then a monster clearance somehow found Spiders striker clear of his marker to loft the ball into the back of the net.
Sports had one final chance to draw level from a Ryan Towle free-kick, but Spiders giant keeper held on with Hallam about to pounce and the final whistle blew.

Full time: Hucknall Sports 3 West Bridgford 4

What can you say to summarise this game?
The boys deserve massive credit for playing the best football of their season to try and get something from this game but you can't legislate for the final two goals that saw them lose this game.
The opposition Manager (not for the first time) was puzzled to know how come we are bottom of the league when playing like this.
So many players deserve credit for outstanding performances in this game but I will pick out just four. James Hallam, Harry Saxton and Ryan Towle showed that Hucknall boys have the stomach for a battle and gave everything for the team. However today's Man of the Match went to Charlie Blatherwick for an outstanding performance in midfield. If only he had been with us for every game things might have been a little different.
We still have three matches to go and 6 points should see us safe. But whatever the outcome you can take massive confidence from a game like this when you have been absolutely wonderful.