Beales wonder-goal steals Cup victory for Rolls

Hucknall Sports U13's White 1 Rolls Royce Leisure 2
Saturday 19th November 2011
YEL Trophy

The opening round of the YEL Trophy saw Hucknall Sports pitched against local rivals Rolls Royce. Both teams had won well the previous weekend so confidence was high going into this match.
Sports got off to the perfect start when James Hallam lobbed the on-rushing Rolls keeper Eddie Ridley to put Hucknall into the lead and looked to increase their advantage with some sustained pressure.
But against the run of play Rolls managed to get themselves back into the game by winning a penalty after a heaving clash in the penalty area. Rolls confidence grew and it was their turn to apply the pressure on Sports instead.
Oliver Bowley's corners were unlucky not to be converted, with Mitch Davies particularly unfortunate not to be able to get the ball from underneath his feet quickly enough to take his team back into the lead before Rolls defenders close him down and cleared their lines.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 1 Rolls Royce 1

For the first time ever Sports chose to stick with the same line-up for the second half and it very nearly reaped rewards when both Bowley and Davies saw their efforts on goal bounce narrowly wide. Eventually Jacob Barlow and Dante Diriso entered the game with some fresh legs to try and find a goal that would surely take the the tie for Sports. But Hucknall had to thank Keeper Kal Orton for two great saves before finally succumbing to a goal of the highest quality from Kieran Beales that was worthy of winning any game.

Full time: Hucknall Sports 1 Rolls Royce 2

Both teams deserve huge credit for a wonderful game of football. The town of Hucknall can certainly boast some great talent at the U13's level of Youth football.
Sport are right to be disappointed with the result, but can be proud of their style of play and on another day if they had taken their chances things would have been much different.
The contenders for Man of the Match for Sports included the entire defence of Dylan Smith, Joe Newton, James Stenson and Ellis Evans. Tom Eastwood, Owen Everton and Charlie Blatherwick gave everything in midfield and Keeper Kal Orton made three outstanding saves. But today's Man of the Match went to Oliver Bowley for a measured performance on the right of midfield where his distribution was immense and he found his team mates with passes time and again - well done Ollie, don't leave it this long before you get your next award.