Sports forced to settle for Runners-up

U14's Saturday Division 2A 

Rolls Royce 3 Hucknall Sports 0

15/12/12   

The last game of the season in Division 2a saw Hucknall Sports away to Rolls Royce in a Championship decider after both teams had already secured promotion. Once again poor weather in the preceding days mean that this game was in the balance but a blustery, sunny, morning allowed the game to go ahead.

A stiff wind in the face of Sports attackers is normally a good sign as the ball holds up well and allows them to play their creative passing game. However, the conditions got the better of Hucknall’s defence early on and they couldn’t have made a worse start when the blinding low sun made it almost impossible to deal with a couple of hoofed balls over the top and after 10mins they were two goals down. A great move on the left side presented a chance for Owen Everton to get his team back into the game but his first time volley just drifted over the bar. Tom Eastwood provided much of the spark and was unlucky with his run and shot. Good play from Rolls saw a screamer of a shot cannon back off of the cross-bar and a third goal before half time left Sports with a mountain to climb.

Half time: Rolls Royce 3 Hucknall Sports 0

Predictably, Sports came out of the blocks the faster at the start of the second half looking for an early goal that would surely change the game and won a series of free-kicks around the Rolls penalty area. But efforts from Dante Diriso, Mitch Davies, Charlie Blatherwick and Ryan Towle all failed to test the keeper. Diriso looked the more lively of Hucknall’s strikers and his shot from the edge of the penalty area appeared bound for the back of the net only to be denied by a fine save by Eddie Ridley. Eastwood was re-introduced on the left side and could have won a penalty but chose to stay on his feet rather than go down after a heavy challenge. Possession stats in the second half would have shown 80% in favour of Hucknall but despite all Sports efforts they could not breach the impressive Rolls back line.

Full time:  Rolls Royce 3 Hucknall Sports 0

Sometimes you have to accept that it is simply not your day. No one can say that Sports didn’t put the effort in although some boys did look a little wary even before the start of the game.

All credit to Rolls for dealing with the conditions much better than Sports and on the day hat-trick hero Kieran Beales was the difference between the two teams.

Sports Man of the Match was Dante Diriso for a gutsy performance both in attack and midfield – well done Dante.

Bill Shankley once said that footballer is ‘more important than life and death’, given the events in Connecticut this week we all know that is not the case.

Sports players will be rightly disappointed with the result of this game but a record of 1 loss in 14 games is fantastic so hold your heads up and be proud.

Congratulation on Promotion and see you all in the New Year for Division 1 football.

Promotion for Hucknall Sports

U14's Saturday Division 2A 

West Bridgford Harriers 1 Hucknall Sports 2

8/12/12   

Back row: Owen Everton, James Stenson, James Hallam, Dylan Smith, Mitch Davies, Rue Hallam, Ryan Towle, Ellis Evans, Joe Newton, Stewart Bowley
Middle row: Dante Diriso, Kal Orton, Jacob Barlow, Ollie Bowley, Matt Leivers
Front row: Kieran Green, Tom Eastwood

A dreadful weeks weather meant that Sports promotion decider with West Bridgford was in the balance for the entire week with the pitch only being deemed playable late on Friday evening. So it was that unbeaten Hucknall arrived at Rushcliffe Leisure Centre knowing that a single point would be enough. However, Harriers had always done well against Sports and hadn’t lost to them in the last three meetings so no one was taking anything for granted.

Playing with the sun at their backs Sports started very well and quickly produced a series of attacks on the left flank with joint top scorer Tom Eastwood featuring well and unlucky to see his great run and shot blaze over the cross-bar early on. The lively Dante Diriso setup another opening for Eastwood with a neat pass to split the defence but Harriers keeper did well and pushed the ball to safety. Hucknall were on top but needed a goal for all the hard work they were putting in. A foul on the left side presented a chance for Ryan Towle to test the keeper but his strong shot drifted wide at the far post. Soon after Sports were awarded another free-kick in a central position 25 yards from goal. This time it was ‘blonde bombshell’ Mitch Davies chance to try his luck. He skilfully curved the ball around the wall and although the opposition keeper managed to get a hand to it he could not stop the ball from going into the back of the net. Not long afterwards good work from James Hallam put the lightening fast Owen Everton in on goal but his shot narrowly missed and Harriers breathed a mighty sigh of relief. Then Hallam wriggled free from his marker to  latch onto a ball over the top but as he rounded the keeper his legs were taken and a penalty was rightly awarded which Towle expertly dispatched to the bottom right corner. Harriers did mount a small fightback as the half drew to a close but it was too little too late and in truth Sports defence were rarely tested in the first half.

Half time: West Bridgford Harriers 0 Hucknall Sports 2

The sun was now so low that Sports backline and Keeper Kal Orton knew that they had to be at maximum concentration to see this match through. Early on Matt Leivers and Jacob Barlow were introduced and Barlow in particular stretched the Harriers right back time and again. West Bridgford knew that it was now or never for them, if they lost this game they were out of the promotion hunt. They gradually took control of midfield and started to play the type of football they are renowned for though it has to be said that Sports didn’t help their cause by continually trying to take on everyone in front of them rather than letting the ball do the work with a simple pass. Hucknall looked to score on the counter and chances were plentiful with Ollie Bowley, Barlow and Hallam all testing the keeper.

Harriers won a series of corners and made their height advantage count on one occasion when they met the ball first to power home a header to get themselves on the score sheet. Keeper Kal Orton made some fantastic interceptions and continues to show the bravery that few other keepers in the league possess. His outstanding moment came when he made a fantastic save when one-on-one with the Harriers striker. At the other end the Harriers keeper made an equally outstanding save to deny Dante Dirsio what would have been a contender for goal of the season when he beat away a shot that looked bound for the top corner. As the final whistle blew Sports celebrated victory and promotion back to Division One.

Full time:  West Bridgford Harriers 1 Hucknall Sports 2

Sometimes it is just about getting the ‘job done’ and so it proved today for Sports.

This was certainly not their best footballing performance, but if you can beat a team like West Bridgford when not playing particularly then you can’t be too critical.

Hucknall’s defensive line were immense, particularly in the first half, and they can all be very pleased with their performance – well done Dylan Smith, Captain Joe Newton, James Stenson, Kieran Green and Matt Leivers.

However, today’s winner of the Man of the Match award was Goalkeeper Kal Orton for a simply awesome display of goalkeeping. There is no braver keeper in the league and when he needs to make a save he can be relied upon to do so. He’s the quite man of the team but his performance today spoke volumes, particularly in the second half.

So, one more game to go to decide who are League Champions. We fear no one and bring it on!

Sports not afraid of Spiders

U14's Saturday Shield Competition

Hucknall Sports 3 West Bridgford Spiders 1

01/12/12

Goosedale Sports Complex hosted the Shield clash between Hucknall Sports and West Bridgford Spiders, the Division 1A team sitting respectfully in third spot.

Unbeaten Hucknall were looking to maintain their run of form and would need an outstanding performance to overcome a side a division above and with their inspirational manager Stewart Bowley missing due to work commitments.

Sports had a reshuffled side with Hallam and Diriso chosen to spearhead the attack for this game between two fabulous football teams.

On a bright sunny day but heavy pitch, West Bridgford  started the game as expected, a strong, big team, showing why they are in the top division, passing the ball well and winning plenty of fifty fifty balls. However Sports started the game stronger and forcing most of the play into the opposition half, making many chances with Diriso, Towle and Eastwood coming close. After some great wing play by Everton the ball was lobbed into the box with Hallam chasing down only to see his shot cleared off the line by some great defending.  However Spiders began to press hard into the last quarter of the first half, testing Kal Orton who displayed a brilliant performance giving the Bridgford  side very few chances to break the deadlock. Bowley and Evans were introduced to keep the pressure on Spiders and made an immediate impact as Hucknall then took the lead.

A free kick from Mitch Davies, was cleared away then Evans returned towards the six yard box, when it fell to a surprised James Stenson way up the pitch who turned well and powered home a strike from just inside the box, right into the top corner only minutes before the break.

As half time approached Sports were deserved leaders but knew a single goal was not going to be enough to beat a dangerous Bridgford  side and Sports defence of Smith, Newton, Stenson and Green would have to be at their best in the second half.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 1 – West Bridgford  Spiders 0

Sports introduced Barlow and Leivers at the break to bolster the team for Spiders second half assault which did begin as the second half got under way but Sports were strong in all departments and soaked up the pressure well and dealt with a rejuvenated Bridgford  side.

Inevitably as in the first half Sports began again to break down the opposition with slick passing football and strength in midfield to win the ball and speed up front to unsettle the Spiders defence. Few real clear cut chances were made by any of the two sides so with a tiring Spiders defence mid way through the half Sports re-introduced Eastwood and Diriso to inject some pace and it almost had an immediate impact with the two driving at the heart of the defence and Eastwood skipping past two then the keeper to slot home.

This inspired Sports for more and began to dominate the game pushing forward in numbers but got caught with good wing play by Spiders who were awarded a penalty which was dispatched well giving Orton no chance.

This made for a tense final five minutes with Spiders pushing for an equaliser and nearly succeeded with Newton having to clear a lobbed shot off his own line to deny Spiders.

But the final say was left to Hallam whose pace took him past the Bridgford  back line and rounded the keeper to dispatch the winner with only two minutes remaining and they went on to run down the clock for an outstanding win

Full time:  Hucknall Sports 3 West Bridgford  Spiders 1

In heavy conditions much credit to both teams for a great game of football. There is very little between the two sides which gives Sports great confidence to finish the season on a high and shows Sports time to join the big teams in division 1B after Christmas may now be here.
Man of the Match today was an impossible choice for stand in managers Andrew and Justin, so the entire team was chosen for their fantastic giant killing performance with every player in the squad showing determination, heart and desire to do their best for the team well done boy`s. Keep it up!!!

Sports go top with win over Rolls

U14's Saturday Division 2A 

Hucknall Sports 3 Rolls Royce 2

24/11/12   

Goosedale Sports Complex hosted the top of the table clash between Hucknall Sports and Rolls Royce, the only two unbeaten teams in League 2a. Rolls needed a point for promotion and Sports were looking for a victory to leap-frog them to go top of the league.

James Hallam and Ollie Bowley were restored to the starting line-up to spearhead the attack for this local derby between two fabulous footballing teams that the folk of Hucknall can be very proud of. On a heavy pitch and with the threat of torrential rain Rolls started well and it was clear to see why they had been ‘steam rolling’ teams out of the way with their strong midfielders in the ascendency. Sports backline looked a little nervous earlier on and were guilty of not clearing their lines on a number of occasions. But Hucknall thought they had taken the lead when Charlie Blatherwick powered home a header from a Mitch Davies free-kick only for the goal to be ruled out for an infringement. Rolls raced to the other end of the pitch and took the lead when Sports failed to deal with a loose ball in the box. Almost immediately, Hucknall got back on level terms when Hallam burst onto a through-ball and slotted home just before it could be gathered by the on-rushing opposition keeper. But Sports could not hold onto the ball long enough before Rolls took the lead once more when Kal Orton’s punch fell to the feet of their striker for a chance that he really could not miss. Hucknall were determine not to be outdone and they hit back in style when Hallam spun his man beautifully and then expertly guided the ball home to bring the scores back to level. With the half drawing to a close Ellis Evans got on the end of a goal mouth scramble to put Sports into the lead at half time when he smashed the ball home from close range.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 3 Rolls Royce 2

After a breathless first half you would be forgiven for thinking that this game had more goals to come, but both defences tightened themselves up in the second half and chances were very hard to come by. Rolls won a number of corners but rarely threatened the Sports goal. Hucknall could have extended their lead but both Hallam and Jacob Barlow were unlucky not to convert the openings presented to them. The game became a battle of the midfielders with neither team giving any ground. One or two poor tackles threatened to spoil the game but it has to be said that they were more as a result of the poor conditions rather than any malice. Both Goalies acquitted themselves well given the poor conditions but neither had a save to make in truth.

The final whistle blew as the heavens opened but Sports had victory in the bag.

Full time:  Hucknall Sports 3 Rolls Royce 2

In poor conditions much credit to both teams for a great game of football. There is very little chose between the two teams but on this occasion Sports took their chances brilliantly and won the midfield battle.

Man of the Match today went to James Hallam for an absolute master-class of strike play. Anyone attending the game witnessed two fabulous finishes of the very highest quality – well done James, that makes you equal top scorer with 11 goals.

However, it would be remiss of me not to say a big thanks to all the Hucknall boys for their efforts today. They went behind twice but refused to give in and eventually got the reward that their hard work deserves. All 16 boys played a part in the team winning this game and well done to everyone of you.