Ashfield 3 Hucknall Sports U13's White 1 (a.e.t)
Saturday 5th November 2011
The Notts FA Shield Round 2
Sports' reward for progressing to the second round of the Nottingham Shield was an away tie to unbeaten Mansfield Division One leaders Ashfield FC. Hucknall had to rearrange their line-up after the withdrawal of goalkeeper Kal Orton to an eye injury but were fortunate to find a willing and very capable replacement in James Stenson. Prior to the start of the game it appeared that Ashfield has suffered the same fate when their keeper limped out of the warm-up only to return just before kick-off.
The opening five minutes of the game showed that this was going to be a 'cup classic'. Both teams played some fantastic, measured, football demonstrating a maturity beyond their years. Ashfield won a free-kick about 30 yards from goal in a central position and a bullet shot took them into the lead with keeper Stenson standing no chance at all.
Hucknall refused to panic and a great run and cross from James Hallam, playing on the right wing, saw centre forward Ellis Evans header pushed around the post with a fine save from Ashfield's keeper. The game was end to end and Ashfield looked dangerous as they won more free-kicks from the edge of the penalty area but Sports defended well and the goal was not threatened. Dante Diriso combined well with Dylan Smith on the right-hand side and Harry Saxton and Tom Eastwood mirrored that on the left. In the centre of midfield Charlie Blatherwick and Mitch Davies battled well and made sure that Sports were first to everything.
Sports created enough chances to get back into the game, particularly from Diriso's fine corners. But the goal would not come and they went into the break 1-0 down.
Substitutes Ollie Bowley and Jacob Barlow were introduced for the second half and Evans dropped into the left-back position. Sports new look shape worked well and Barlow created an instant impact on the left wing by getting around the back of Ashfield's defence time and again. Bowley and Hallam combined well on the right and continued Sports demonstration of composed football by being patient and working an opening by playing football rather than 'booting it long'. Hallam terrorised the Ashfield defence at every opportunity and his blocked shot nearly created an opportunity for Barlow. Sports pushed and pushed for the equaliser and varied their approach to keep Ashfield guessing. Finally, a well worked move saw Barlow lay the ball back to the lively Tom Eastwood who found Blatherwick on the edge of the box where he hit a looping shot into the back of the net for Sports to draw level. Hucknall still had time to win it in the last minutes but Bowley tried to play in Hallam when other options might have brought the winner.
Extra time:
Both teams were extremely tired by this time and looked to make the ball do the work for them. The next goal was going to be vital and unfortunately for Sports it was Ashfield that got it when they bundled the ball home at the far post to regain the lead. Sports heads refused to be bowed and a Blatherwick free-kick was met by a header from Eastwood only to see the keeper make a good catch. Ashfield's third goal was from the top-drawer and was worthy of winning any game. A wonder-strike from the edge of the box was bound for the top corner and despite a fantastic effort by Stenson it dropped into the back of the net.
AET: Ashfield 3 Hucknall Sports 1
Both teams deserve huge credit for a wonderful game of football. On the evidence of this game Nottinghamshire looks well set for the next batch of footballers representing the County. Fantastic passing, wonderful tackling and great forward play were a feature throughout.
In previous weeks Sports had played some great football, but playing against top-class opposition today's second half performance had to go down as one of their best yet.
The whole team deserves to be nominated for Man of the Match but special mentions have to go to the center-half pairing of Joe Newton and Owen Everton who played wonderfully well. James Stenson, our stand-in goalie, played superb but the eventual winner was Captain Fantastic Mitch Davies. Mitch's never say die attitude and boundless energy drove his team on and very nearly helped them to pull-off the shock of the second round.
Brilliant boys, let's take this form into our next league game.
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