Sports shock Lowdham to claim victory

U12's Saturday Division 1
9/4 /11
Lowdham Colts 1 Hucknall Sports 2

On Grand National day Sports travelled to Lowdham gambling on playing a double-header to climb out of the relegation places at the bottom of Division One. Lowdham sat 4th in the league and this was always going to be 'big ask' of the Hucknall boys but recent results had sparked their confidence and Sports started fantastically well and really took the game to Colts with a series of great passing moves.

Hucknall's new midfield pairing of Charlie Blatherwick and Tom Eastwood work fantastically well and Ellis Evans and Oliver Bowley on the right-hand side created a well balanced look. Hucknall's midfield ran the show in the first half and carved out chances that Sports forward line narrowly failed to convert. James Hallam, Jacob Barlow and Buckly Gibson-Brown all having shots blocked by last ditch tackles from Colts.
In defence, William Brown played as the make-shift left back and didn't let anyone down with a solid performance. Ryan Towle, Joe Newton and Dylan Smith provide a great defensive line in front of Kal Orton who was brave in coming off his line but in truth didn't have a lot to do in the first half.

Half time: Lowdham Colts 0 Hucknall Sport 0

Hucknall moved up a gear in the second half and their great play finally brought a goal when Charlie Blatherwick's high looping lob found the back of the net from wide on the left side of the penalty area. Sports narrowly missed taking a two goal lead when Gibson-Browns terrific volley from the edge of the area screamed past the far post with the goalkeeper nowhere to be seen. Colts managed to find their passing game at last and the two teams really put on a treat for the spectators on a bobbly pitch. Sports defence dealt with the pressure well looked to be holding on for victory when a corner 2 mins from time found a Lowdham player spare on the back post and despite Bowley's attempts to clear off of the line the ball hit the bar and bounced into the back of the net. Sports players were shattered but remembering last weeks last minute come-back they pushed forward and for the second week running Jacob Barlow was the hero when he found the back of Lowham's net from the far post.
Wild celebrations erupted from Sports players and fans as with only 30 seconds left the game was won.

For the second week running Sports have now grabbed victory in the last minutes of the game to give them a real chance of avoiding relegation.
Lowdham's Management were very generous in their praise of Sports and showed fantastic sportsmanship.

The Man of the Match award went to Charlie Blatherwick for a fabulous performance in midfield along side his new partner Tom Eastwood - well done Charlie.


Second Game
Injuries leave Sports running on empty

After a 10 minute break Sports started their second match of the day and with a win under their belts continued to have the confidence to play well. But when Hucknall's defenders failed to clear the ball in the middle of their penalty area Lowdham pounced and snatched an early lead. James Hallam's blistering pace saw him round the back line of Lowdham with ease but his fine cross could not be finished. Sports were starting to look leggy and players had to be substituted to give them a breather. Then the key moment of the game arrived when three players collided in the Sports penalty area and the ball somehow found the back of the net. Sports had to take off both their goalkeeper Kal Orton and centre-back Joe Newton both with nasty looking injuries. This gave the chance for Joe Harley give his goalkeeping skills a go and Tom Eastwood dropped back to centre-back.
In truth Sports couldn't recover from this body blow and despite putting every ounce of energy into the game they were just too short of players to cope. Gaps started to appear in the defence and Lowdham ran out 6-1 winners in the end, with Jacob Barlow once more getting a late goal.

Man of the Match went to Tom Eastwood for a wonderful performance and showing what a versatile player he is in playing both defence and attack - well done Tommy

So the gamble didn't quite pay off, but three points is extremely valuable to Sports survival hopes.
Not many would have give Hucknall a prayer against the 4th team in Division One, but this shows just what they can do.
We have small gap now until our next game, but hope to have all the boys fit and well for what promises to be an exciting end to the season - Come on you Sports you can do it!!!