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.