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.