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.

Sports get the double over Colts

U14's Saturday Division 2A 

Cotgrave Colts 0 Hucknall Sports 5

17/11/12   

After a resounding victory the previous weekend Sports made the long trip to Cotgrave looking to extend their unbeaten run to 7 league games.

On a truly dreadful pitch Hucknall’s normal smooth passing game was always going to struggle and for the first 20 minutes despite having numerous corners it was very difficult to create clear-cut chances. The ball got caught up in the long grass time and again but finally Dante Diriso got the opening goal when he showed a turn of speed and neat skill to finish low into the bottom right corner. Hucknall tinkered with their formation and moved Kieran Green forward to midfield leaving a back three of Smith, Newton and Stenson and it was Green who got the next goal with a fine run and shot from just outside the box that curled delightfully into the net. Still time for one more goal when Tom Eastwood drove the ball home to notch up his 11^th of the season to put Sports into a commanding lead by half time.

Half time: Cotgrave Colts 0 Hucknall Sports 3

For the third week running Sports made three changes at half-time. Most of Hucknall’s play came down the left-hand side as the grass on the right wing rendered it almost unplayable. Ellis Evans and Diriso both took a turn in the left wing position and threatened to get around the back. But it was a rare right wing move that provided the next goal when Evans picked out Ollie Bowley who beat his man and cross well for James Hallam to smash the ball into the net. Many more changes followed with Sports rearranging the entire midfield and adopting a 3-4-3 formation to see the game out seeking more goals. In the final moments Jacob Barlow got a richly deserved goal for himself when skipper Joe Newton found him with a raking pass just on the edge of the penalty area. He jinked left and right and then left again to curl a wonderful shot home.

Full time:  Cotgrave Colts 0 Hucknall Sports 5

Through no fault of the players, good football was hard to find today. The pitch didn’t help either team to play in the style that they would have liked but Hucknall’s victory was well deserved and rarely in doubt.

Today’s Man of the Match went to Jacob Barlow for a terrific performance and a fine goal but mostly for listening to his instructions and carrying them out to the letter – well done Jacob

The season starts now boys and we fear nobody!

Tigers tamed by Sports Goal-fest

U14's Saturday Division 2A 

Hucknall Sports 10 Toton Tigers 1

10/11/12   

On the day before ‘Remembrance Sunday’ Hucknall Sports went back to league action against Toton Tigers. The opposition have found the going a little bit tough of late having been relegated from Division 1 at the end of last season. However, a recent strong showing in the Shield gave them renew confidence for this game.

Both teams observed a minutes silence impeccably before kick-off and in the first 5 minutes of play it was Toton who looked the more likely to open the scoring. But after a slow start Sports eventually found their rhythm and an immaculate pass from Ryan Towle picked out Dante Diriso who’s stunning finish gave the keeper no chance. Diriso doubled his tally as he repeated the same finish for his second of the game and Jacob Barlow also continued his rich vein of form with two poachers goals of his own.

Hucknall were well on top and it was hard to remember the defence having anything significant to deal with. Kieran Green made way for Matt Leivers just before half-time in a precautionary substitution to protect a tight hamstring and Leivers continued to show just what a great addition to the squad he is. Sporst midfield of Ellis Evans, Towle, Mitch Davies and Owen Everton dominated the play and although leading by 4-0 at the break Sports would have been forgiven for thinking that they might have had more.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 4 Toton Tigers 0

Sports made three changes at half-time and the impact was immediate. Tom Eastwood plundered 4 goals in 20 minutes with a display of finishing of the very highest calibre. Not to be left out James Hallam got back on the scoring trail with a couple of his own, one in particular stood out when he hit a sublime ‘lob’ from distance with his unfavoured left foot to leave the crowd speechless in admiration.

Toton’s keeper made some fine saves to keep the score down as much as possible and all credit to the opposition for keeping going when others might have chosen to simply throw in the ‘towel’. Referee Dennis awarded Toton a couple of penalties late on and they did manage to convert one for a consolation goal that they thoroughly deserved.

As the final whistle blew Hucknall showed commendable ‘sportsmanship’ that the was much appreciated by both sets of managers and coaches as they shook every member of the Toton’s team hand. Very few teams have the luxury of going through the YEL leagues without have a ‘rough’ season and Sports know only too well how it feels.

Full time:  Hucknall Sports 10 Toton Tigers 1

The score doesn’t really reflect how well Toton played in this game but today they came up against a Sports team who converted pretty much every chance they created.

Goals win games but without the hard work of the defensive line and creativity of the midfielders the chance to score simply would not happen. So this has to go down as one of the best displays of the season for all 15 boys who took part.

Candidates for Man of the Match included Ryan Towle for his midfield masterclass, Dante Diriso for his fantastic finishing and Jacob Barlow for his brilliant wing play. But the award rightly went to Tom Eastwood for his 20 minutes of pure genius. His four goals were all taken with such style and panache that I doubt we will see it repeated. Just goes to show everyone that you don’t have to be playing the entire game to make an impact – well done Tom, fantastic effort.

The performance was certainly improved on the previous week and 10 goals in a single game is very rare but believe it or not this team can play even better!

Diriso’s Hat-trick guides Sports through to Round 3

U14's Saturday Shield 

Hucknall Sports 4 Trowell 0

03/11/12   

Sports reward for a hard fought victory in the first round of the Shield was a home game against unbeaten Trowell Yellow of Division 2B.

Hucknall had the luxury of 16 players for the first time this season and decided to play the in-form Dante Diriso in partnership with dangerous lefty Jacob Barlow up front. Charles Blatherwick and Mitch Davies retained the central midfield slots after their stunning performance against Bottesford in the previous game and Sports got off to the perfect start when Diriso coolly slotted home after good work from Blatherwick within the first minute of the game. Trowell reverted to a lone striker and this allowed Hucknall’s Kieran Green to move forward into midfield and Ellis Evans to play a strike role. Green lapped up his new advanced position and provide a constant threat with some tremendous interplay with Evans and Jacob Barlow. Diriso slotted home his second after turning the opposition defence inside and out. Then Barlow played an incisive pass to split the back two of Trowell and Diriso pounce once more to smash his first hat-trick of the season (many more to follow).

Sports were well on top and Captain Joe Newton nearly got on the score sheet when he rose to power a Diriso corner just over the bar. Owen Everton also continue his great form and was unlucky to see wonderful run and shot just miss at the far post.

Good half for Sports and Diriso but special mention to the midfield boys for playing some great football and providing the platform for some great attacking moves.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 3 Trowell 0

All change after half-time saw Sports introduce James Hallam, Ryan Towle, Tom Eastwood, Ollie Bowley and new signing Matt Leivers. Understandable Hucknall took a little while to adjust but the chances eventually started to flow. Hallam was unlucky to see his one-on-one just slip by the far post. Eastwood continued where Barlow had left off and trust down the left side time and again. Leiver’s ‘showed’ for the ball time and again and initiated one of the best moves of the game when Keeper Orton rolled the ball to him on the edge of his penalty area. Leivers drew his man and found Evans, Evans fed Towle who played a wonderful ball into Bowley who put a first time cross into Hallam but his shot was scrambled away by the Trowell Keeper at the last minute.

Long shots from Towle and Blatherwick tested the keeper once more and he pushed more efforts on to the woodwork to keep the score down. Eventually Sports did find the back of the net when Hallam won the ball in a challenge with the keeper and Eastwood took advantage to drive the ball home for his 6^th goal of the season. Still time for a Blatherwick special that grazed the cross-bar and Bowley’s late corner also clipped the woodwork before going over.

Referee Walters blew his whistle for full-time with Sports wanting more but happy in the knowledge that they are through to the next round of the Shield.

Full time:  Hucknall Sports 4 Trowell 0

After 2 consecutive 4-4 draws in the league Sports defence went into the game determine to keep a clean sheet.

The concentration of Green, Smith, Newton, Stenson and Leivers was clear for all to see and they never really looked troubled throughout the entire game – well done boys.

In centre midfield Davies, Blatherwick and Towle controlled everything.

Sports could have had more goals but all credit to Trowell for keeping going and in particular to their goalie who had a fantastic game.

Man of the Match was a choice between Barlow, Green and Diriso with the latter taking the award for the second week running after a great first half hat-trick and tremendous attacking play throughout - Well done Dante.

This was a ‘good’ performance, not ‘great’. The boys know that they are capable of playing better and will need to if they want to progress further in this competition.