Green’s stunner inspires Sports

U14's Saturday Division 2a 

Hucknall Sports 3 Cotgrave Colts 1

22/9/12   

Sports entertained Cotgrave Colts at Goosdale Sports Complex in a game that would see Hucknall go 2 points clear at the top if they were able to win. However, Cotgrave are somewhat of bogey team and their victory over Sports last season effectively cost them promotion so nobody was taking this match for granted.

For the first time this season Sports where able to include Charlie Blatherwick in the squad but started the game with the team that beat Toton in such convincing fashion the previous week. Striker partners Dante Diriso and Ellis Evans posed an immediate threat with Diriso particularly unlucky to see his strong run and shot narrowly miss the far post. Jacob Barlow returned to the starting line-up after missing the previous week and combined well with Kieran Green on the left-hand side to provide dangerous crosses that Sports were just unable to convert. Cotgrave were rocking and surely it was only a matter of time but against the run of play a long ‘punt’ caught out Sports normally reliable central defenders and the opposition took the lead with a well taken finish. 25mins in and Hucknall made a pre-planned change and introduced James Hallam, Ollie Bowley and Blatherwick. Almost immediately Hallam looked to have levelled the scores as he burst through only for his shot to drift just wide, free-kicks from Blatherwick and Ryan Towle grazed the cross-bar. Sports remained focussed and then a simple through-ball found Hallam who beat both goalie and defender to the ball to clip it into the bottom right corner.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 1 Cotgrave Colts 1

Sports regrouped for the second half and organised their defence knowing the Cotgrave tactic would be to feed the dangerous Brad Eyers. A wonderfully timed tackle from Dylan Smith sent the message loud and clear that no more sloppiness would be tolerated in the backline. Hucknall probed and probed but Cosgrave’s goalkeeper was in inspired form and made wonderful saves to deny Blatherwick, Hallam and Diriso. Sports would have to come up with something special but little did the supporters know just what was about to happen. Kieran Green picked up the ball in his own half and surged forward past 4 Cotgrave players before dribbling into the box and smashing a fantastic shot into the far corner. Even the opposition Manager and Referee complimented on what a fantastic goal it was. Cotgrave were stunned but refused to give up and drove forward desperately trying to get the equaliser. As play broke down on the edge of Hucknall’s penalty area good interplay between Bowley and Evans put Hallam through and he finished wonderfully to secure the points for his team.

Full time:  Hucknall Sports 3 Cotgrave Colts 1 

Sports looked nervous early on but battled hard to win a game that they might not have done last season. That’s three wins in a row, but this is no time to get carried away as there are many more tough challenges awaiting.

Candidates for Man of the Match included Dante Diriso and James Hallam who both played a major part in the victory. But the winner today for a moment of wonderful inspirational football and all round great performance was Kieran Green. I doubt we will see a better goal all season – well done Kieran, fantastic game today.

Eastwood double steers Sports to victory

U14's Saturday Division 2a 

Toton Tigers 0 Hucknall Sports 4

15/9/12   

Hucknall Sports second game of the new season took them away to Toton Tigers, a team who had been relegated from Division One recently. The location for the match was Chetwyn Army Barracks and what a ‘fantastic’ pitch awaited the Hucknall boys - if there is a better surface in the YEL then I have not seen it.

James Hallam, Jacob Barlow and Charlie Blatherwick were all missing for this game  and Sports took the opportunity to try a new front line consisting of Ollie Bowley, Dante Diriso and Ellis Evans. Shortly after kick-off Diriso showed a sign of what was to come by racing clear of his marker only to see his shot narrowly miss the target. Time and again he tormented the Toton defence and showed that he could shoot with both his right and left feet. Hucknall’s breakthrough goal came from newly appointed skipper Joe Newton when he rose at the near post to power home a Diriso corner. Owen Everton continued his great start to the season with a brilliant run and that went narrowly wide. Then, Diriso got on the score sheet  with a well taken goal of his own. Sports were playing some nice football and Bowley combined well with Tom Eastwood on the left side only for his shot to just miss the far post. Toton looked to get themselves back in the game and put together a spell of pressure that Hucknall’s defence did well to repel.

Half time: Toton Tigers 0 Hucknall Sports 2

The next goal was going to be vital and Toton surged forward and won a number of corners early on in the second half. Hucknall’s back line of Dylan Smith, Joe Newton, James Stenson and Kieran Green had to be on their toes but stood strong and in truth no clear cut chances were created. Sports continued to spray the ball around nicely and extended their lead when Eastwood burst through the Toton back line. The same boy then smashed a screamer into the top corner to take his season tally to 3 in 2 games – not bad for a midfielder. Then the move of the game saw Green move the ball forward with neat inter-passing between himself and Evans to present Eastwood with a chance to cross. The crowd held their breath as Mitch Davies leaped like a salmon at the far post but just failed to find the target. Further chances for Evans and Everton went begging but Sports were home and dry to record their second consecutive victory.

Full time:  Toton Tigers 0 Hucknall Sports 4 

The performance today was breathtaking at times and Sports boys certainly made the most of the playing surface with an exhibition of really stylish football.

Every boy contributed massively to the game and picking a man of the match was almost impossible.

New signing Kieran Green, Ryan Towle and Dante Diriso were immense. The entire defensive line was awesome and the new look front line created many, many, chances.

The eventual winner was Tom Eastwood for an outstanding performance that included two great goals and some fantastic wing play – well done Tom.

Keep it up boys, but there is a long way to go yet.

Winning start to the season for Sports

U14's Saturday Division 2a 

Hucknall Sports 4 Bottesford 2

8/9/12   

Hucknall Sports started the new season with a home game against new boys Bottesford at Wigwam Playing Fields.

Strong sunshine greeted both sides and it was clearly a day to conserve your energy.

Hucknall started with a formation looking for early goals and after series of near misses the goal came after good work from Jacob Barlow and Tom Eastwood saw a terrific cross cleverly diverted first time into the opposition goal  by Owen Everton. Sports looked dangerous and Dante Diriso tormented the left back with some fantastic wing play. Later in the game Ollie Bowley continue the right wing assault but a number of corners went unpunished by Hucknall. Botteford worked a neat break and equalised from a penalty awarded when new skipper Joe Newton was adjudged to have felled his man. Sports grabbed the lead once more through a terrific run and shot from Tom Eastwood but a mistake by at the back let Bottesford back in again to level the game 2-2 at half time.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 2 Bottesford 2

Playing with the breeze in their faces Hucknall braced themselves for a long ball attack but all credit to Bottesford for playing a passing game instead. As is often the case for Sports they tend to play better against the breeze and uphill and so it proved to be. Good work from the hard working midfield presented an opportunity for Everton to swing a lovely cross to the far post for Hallam to convert nicely and then a second from Hallam swung the game Sports way. Hucknall could have had more goals but the Bottesford keeper saved well from Hallam and Ryan Towle was unlucky to see his tremendous free kick smash against the cross-bar.

Full time:  Hucknall Sports 4 Bottesford 2 

In draining conditions this was a great team effort by Sports. The performance wasn’t perfect, but in the end it was good enough and it’s encouraging that we can win even when not playing at our best.

Good performances from many players with Owen Everton, James Stenson and Mitch Davies catching the eye in particular.

However, today’s Man of the Match award goes to James Hallam for a terrific performance in leading the line and scoring the goals that saw his team to victory. Well done James – brilliant.