Rolls take the honours in local Derby

Rolls Royce Leisure 2 Hucknall Sports U13's white 0
Saturday 8th October 2011
YEL Division 2

Unbeaten Hucknall Sports travelled the short distance to Titchfield Park for a local derby against Rolls Royce. In complete contrast to last weekends sweltering conditions the wind was blowing and rain lashing down on a pitch that was already starting to show signs of wear.
Rolls started the game the more composed and won most of the midfield challenges to help create attacking situations for their team. Sports on the other hand were a shadow of their recent selves and looked slow and second to the ball.
A defensive mistake gifted the opening goal to Rolls and this was quickly followed by a long punt that somehow managed to find the back of Sports net. Hucknall had not even broken sweat and they found themselves 2-0 at the half time whistle.

Half Time: Rolls Royce 2 Hucknall Sports 0

Substitutes Oliver Bowley and Ellis Evans entered the game in the second half as Sports looked to try and find a way back into the game. James Hallam managed to find space at last but his flashing shot just missed the far post and then his run and cross just evaded Jacob Barlow with the goal beckoning. The Rolls defence coped well with everything that Hucknall had to offer and on the break Hucknall's central defensive partnership of James Stenson and Joe Newton had to be on their toes continually.
Sports just could not get a break with the ball bobbling time and again at the most crucial moments on a dreadful pitch. Towards the end of the game Hallam looked through on goal once more but another poor bounce just prior to kicking took the edge of his shot and it was gathered in easily by Edward Ridley in the Rolls goal.

Final Score: Rolls Royce 2 Hucknall Sports 0

This has to go down as a 'bad day at the office' for Sports and should not take anything away from their fine start to the season. Tom Eastwood's battling midfield performance and Oliver Bowley's measured approach to the game made them both good candidates for Man of the Match but the clear winner was Dylan Smith.
Smith put in an exemplary display of defending to deny the dangerous Rolls attackers time and space. But there is more to his game than just defending and he had the composure to bring the ball forward skilfully in an attempt to get his team going.
Well done - Dylan.