Hallam's wonder-goal moves Sports up to third

Keyworth United 1 Hucknall Sports U13's White 2
Saturday 26th November 2011
YEL Division 2

Hucknall Sports U13's returned to league action with a tough away game to high flying Keyworth United, a team considered by some to be one of the best in the Division.
Playing on high ground with blustery winds blowing directly from the top to the bottom of the pitch this was always going to be a 'game of two halves'. Sports won the toss and decided to try to take advantage of the wind at their backs by playing a 4-3-3 formation. Initially Hucknall found it difficult to work an opening but persistent good work by wingers Jacob Barlow and Dante Diriso eventually started to show some cracks in a solid looking United backline. Then Sports midfield maestro Charlie Blatherwick showed great strength coupled with the presence of mind to turn inside on the edge and smash a bullet shot into the bottom corner.
Keyworth showed signs of why they had risen to second in the league by playing neat football and got themselves back in the game when a momentary lack of concentration from the Sports centre-backs let in United's striker to lob the ball over the on-rushing Hucknall Keeper Kal Orton. But Hucknall's determination not to let this game slip away from them was clear to all and they created a number of chances that unfortunately did not manage to find the target. Blatherwick nearly got a second when his stunning volley looked certain to find the back of the net only to cannon off the inside of the post and away to safety. Sports were desperate to try and grab another goal before half time knowing that the second half would be much tougher to create chances and when a foul on Barlow just by the near touchline was awarded up stepped James Hallam to restore the lead with an absolute wonder-goal.

Half time: Keyworth Utd 1 Hucknall Sports 2

Harry Saxton, Oliver Bowley and Owen Everton all entered the game in the second half as Sports reverted back to a 4-4-2 formation knowing that they had to win the midfield battle and not allow Keyworth any shots on goal. But it was Sports who looked the more dangerous and Barlow continued to pose a threat on the wide left. Eastwood's terrific run and shot was pushed onto his post by the Keyworth goalie and Harry Saxton was unlucky not to convert a James Hallam free-kick from close in. At the other end of the pitch Hucknall defenders played magnificently and cancelled out any chance of a shot on goal time and again. Any ball that did get passed them was snapped up by Keeper Kal Orton showing what a safe pair of hands he has.
Playing clever possession football Hucknall saw out the game and celebrated a famous victory that sent out a clear sign to the rest of the league that they too are a team of the highest pedigree.

Full time: Keyworth Utd 1 Hucknall Sports 2

This was a truly magnificent team performance where every boy played his part in securing a great victory.
As always there were many contenders for Man of the Match. Wingers Barlow, Bowley and Diriso all did well. In midfield Captain Mitch Davies, Charlie Blatherwick and Tom Eastwood show masses of composure and passed the ball forward rather than just 'booting' it. But the winner came from Sports defensive unit who were simply magnificent. Kal Orton, Dylan Smith, Joe Newton, Ellis Evans and Harry Saxton could all have won the award but it was new-boy James Stenson who took the award for a towering performance - really well done James, keep it going.