Bowley strike grabs valuable point for Sports

U14's Saturday Shield 

Bottesford 4 Hucknall Sports 4

20/10/12   

In the only game of the Division during the Half-Term break unbeaten Sports made the long trip to Bottesford. New boys Bottesford had recovered from a poor start to the season to put together a fine run of 3 consecutive victories and knew that a win would take them top of the table.

On what has to be the smallest pitch in the league Sports started the game very well and took the match to Bottesford. Early pressure produced opportunities for Sports and they were unlucky not to go into the lead after a well taken corner went narrowly wide of the target. But soon enough the lead was theirs when the in-form Owen Everton lashed a curling shot under the Bottesford keeper. However, almost directly from the restart Sports normally reliable defence were caught napping and Bottesford equalised with a simple tap in. This was quickly followed by a second with the referee unsighted to a blatant handball that pushed the ball passed Sports last man. Bottesford extended their lead even further when a harmless looking free-kick from wide on the right somehow found its way in at the near post. Hucknall looked rattled and sought to get back into the game as quickly as possible. Returning winger Jacob Barlow provided the spark that Sports needed when he made the most of a fumble by the opposition goalie to score his first goal of the season. He very nearly had a second after a great through-ball from Hallam gave him a chance to shoot only for the Keeper to deny him with a fine save. The introduction of Dante Diriso injected more pace up front and he continued his rich vein of form with some thrusting runs to stretch the well marshalled Bottesford back line.

Half time: Bottesford 3 Hucknall Sports 2

Bottesford extended their lead early in the second half when Sports attempt to keep the ball alive backfired and you would be forgiven for thinking that the game looked to be heading the oppositions way. But Sports are made of stern stuff and you can never write them off. A triple change saw Ollie Bowley, James Hallam and Charles Blatherwick all introduced within the space of 5mins and the game suddenly took on a different complexion once more. Good work by Sports forced a corner that Bowley delivered into the danger area for Blatherwick to power home  a fine header. Now is was Bottesford’s time to looked rattled. Great battling play in midfield, in particular by Captain for the day Mitch Davies, created the platform for Sports to drive forward looking for the equaliser. Tom Eastwood, carrying a knee injury, made a terrific run to the byline and put in a wonderful cross that Sports just couldn’t convert. Hucknall had to swap centre-half James Stenson for Ryan Towle after his week in a sick-bed finally started to take its toll. Then fine work once more by Blatherwick and Eastwood saw the ball find its way to the unmarked Bowley who hit a first-time shot in at the near post to draw the scores level with only 10 minutes to go. It was Sports who looked the more likely to grab the winner after staging a fantastic come-back. But efforts from Blatherwick, Hallam and Dylan Smith drifted narrowly wide and with Hucknall encamped in the opposition half the referees whistle blew all too soon with the score level.

Full time:  Bottesford 4 Hucknall Sports 4

Incredibly Sports last 2 matches have now finished 4-4. In the previous week we were unlucky to drop points to a fluke goal. But this week a fantastic fighting spirit and determination to keep an unbeaten run going allowed the boys to grab a draw when others might have folded.

Today’s Man of the Match was awarded to Dante Diriso for his strength and speed. Dante’s improvement this season has been a joy to behold and we look forward to what will surely be an outstanding season for a boy who has worked so hard to improve his game – well done Dante, keep it going.

Well done all the boys on a great start to the season. Enjoy your half-term break and look forward to our cup game with Trowell on the 3^rd November.

Freak goal snatches victory from Sports

U14's Saturday Shield 

Hucknall Sports 4 West Bridgford 4

13/10/12   

On the back of a 100% start to the season Sports went in their game with West Bridgford full of confidence. However, last year Bridgford had got the better of Sports on both occasions so the players were taking nothing for granted and gave the opposition the respect that they are due.

West Bridgford started brightly and worked the Sports defenders hard in the opening minutes of the game. But Hucknall stood firm and protected their goal well. Gradually, Hucknall found their feet and started to create openings around the back of Bridgford’s defence. Ollie Bowley delivered a dangerous corner that Charlie Blatherwick looked to have scored from, only for the ball to be cleared off the line. But the clearance fell to Tom Eastwood who smashed it into the back of the net to take Sports into the lead. Bridgford then equalised with a goal directly from a free-kick and took the lead when an ‘air shot’ by Sport’s defence presented an unmissible opportunity to the Bridgford striker. But Sports were in no mood to lose this game and quickly got back on level terms when Mitch Davies thundered in a long range free-kick. Tom Eastwood got his second of the game and put Sports back into the lead with a magnificent shot that the keeper had no chance to save. West Bridgford had the last chance of a pulsating half when a well taken corner looked to have been headed in only for a combination of Davies and Kieran Green to clear it away.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 3 West Bridgford 2

Sports got out of the blocks like lightening in the second half and soon extended their lead to make the score 4-2 when the returning Blatherwick got on the end of Ellis Evans fine pass to finish well. Bridgford looked shell shocked and Hucknall thought they had put the game out of site only for James Hallams’ cheeky back-heeled goal to be ruled out for off-side. Hallam looked certain to score when was put clear on goal only for Bridgford’s goalie to deny him with a wonderful full-stretch save. The visitors sought to find a way back into the game and were awarded a penalty when Sports Keeper Kal Orton was adjudged to have fouled his opponent despite making contact with the ball first. Still Sports looked comfortable and were still looking the more likely to score. Jacob Barlow’s fine run and cross just evaded the on rushing Evans. The ever dangerous Dante Diriso terrorised his marker and produced a brilliant cross to the far post that Sports were unable to convert. With less than 5 mins to go a clearance by Sports landed at the feet of the West Bridgford defender who hoofed it high into the sky and Hucknall players watched in agony as it looped into the top corner. Hucknall still had a chance to win the game but rushed a shot instead of making a simple pass to Hallam.

Full time:  Hucknall Sports 4 West Bridgford 4

Prior to the start of the game and given last season’s results Sports might have taken a draw. But you can’t help but feel ‘gutted’ after being denied victory in such a cruel way.

But Hucknall’s boys can take some massive positives from this game. Their play at times was outstanding and even the opposition coaches complimented on what a pleasure it was to see boys ‘playing the right way’.

Sports are still top of the league and are unbeaten in all games still so no reason to feel too sorry for yourselves boys.

Today’s Man of the Match award went to Mitch Davies for a truly outstanding performance in midfield alongside the equally great Charlie Blatherwick. Mitch’s goal was tremendous but his ability to take training ground drills and half-time instructions into the match is a managers dream – well done Mitch, brilliant performance.

Hallam’s double put Sports through to next round

U14's Saturday Shield 

Hucknall Sports 3 Farndon Colts 2

6/10/12   

The first round of the Shield saw Hucknall Sports drawn against Farndon Colts of the Mansfield Chad league. Both teams had a 100% start to the season so a tight game was predicted before a ball was even kicked.

Sports started with a front two of James Hallam and the season’s most improved player so far Dante Diriso. Hucknall looked menacing and a strong run early on from Tom Eastwood only lacked a finishing shot on target to surely put his team into the lead. Hallam was dangerous as ever and had a couple of ‘sighters’ that Farndon’s keeper dealt well with. But he put his team into the lead when a clever ball from Diriso put Hallam clear and he smashed his shot in at the near post. Great play on the right side from Owen Everton presented another chance for Hallam but he was unlucky to see his effort just miss the target. A free-kick awarded to Sports just before half time presented a chance for Diriso to show his shooting prowess and his terrific dipping shot produced a fantastic save from Farndon’s keeper once more. In defence Sports back four held strong and no clear chances were really created by the opposition. The strong central partnership of Joe Newton and James Stenson dealt well with everything they were asked to do.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 1 Farndon Colts 0

Farndon came flying out of the blocks after half time and drew level after 5mins of the restart when a great move on the left side caught Sports napping and the visitors were back in the game. The oppositions confidence was clear for all to see and Hucknall rode their luck at times. Farndon should have taken the lead but failed to hit the target when a scrambled clearance presented a clear opportunity to score.

Sports reacted well and heeded the wake-up call. Kieran Green continued his great start to the season with a wonderful run and cross that Ollie Bowley looked favourite to convert only for the keeper to tip the ball away at the last moment. Diriso’s header was gathered in just before it crossed the line during a goal mouth scramble. Finally, the second Sports goal arrived when the ever reliable Hallam smashed in a shot from just inside the area after a combination of blocks by Colts defenders and keeper ‘pin-balled’ around area. Now it was Hucknall’s time to be on top and the game was put beyond Farndon when Diriso pounced on a through ball. His speed enabled him to be first to the ball with defender and goalkeeper ready to pounce and he side-footed the ball into the net. Colts managed to score a consolation goal with the last kick of the game to reduce the deficit but the result of this game was already established by then.

Full time:  Hucknall Sports 3 Farndon Colts 2

This was a great cup tie and the result could have gone either way. Farndon can feel themselves unlucky not to get something from a match that they contributed so much to but Sports just shaded it and deserved the victory in the end.

Dante Diriso and Owen Everton were both contenders for Man of the Match and James Hallam third ‘double’ of the season put him in the frame also. But today’s winner was James (Steno) Stenson who produced a faultless performance add the heart of defence to ensure the opposition were limited to only scraps of chances to score – well done James, brilliant.