Promotion for Hucknall Sports

U14's Saturday Division 2A 

West Bridgford Harriers 1 Hucknall Sports 2

8/12/12   

Back row: Owen Everton, James Stenson, James Hallam, Dylan Smith, Mitch Davies, Rue Hallam, Ryan Towle, Ellis Evans, Joe Newton, Stewart Bowley
Middle row: Dante Diriso, Kal Orton, Jacob Barlow, Ollie Bowley, Matt Leivers
Front row: Kieran Green, Tom Eastwood

A dreadful weeks weather meant that Sports promotion decider with West Bridgford was in the balance for the entire week with the pitch only being deemed playable late on Friday evening. So it was that unbeaten Hucknall arrived at Rushcliffe Leisure Centre knowing that a single point would be enough. However, Harriers had always done well against Sports and hadn’t lost to them in the last three meetings so no one was taking anything for granted.

Playing with the sun at their backs Sports started very well and quickly produced a series of attacks on the left flank with joint top scorer Tom Eastwood featuring well and unlucky to see his great run and shot blaze over the cross-bar early on. The lively Dante Diriso setup another opening for Eastwood with a neat pass to split the defence but Harriers keeper did well and pushed the ball to safety. Hucknall were on top but needed a goal for all the hard work they were putting in. A foul on the left side presented a chance for Ryan Towle to test the keeper but his strong shot drifted wide at the far post. Soon after Sports were awarded another free-kick in a central position 25 yards from goal. This time it was ‘blonde bombshell’ Mitch Davies chance to try his luck. He skilfully curved the ball around the wall and although the opposition keeper managed to get a hand to it he could not stop the ball from going into the back of the net. Not long afterwards good work from James Hallam put the lightening fast Owen Everton in on goal but his shot narrowly missed and Harriers breathed a mighty sigh of relief. Then Hallam wriggled free from his marker to  latch onto a ball over the top but as he rounded the keeper his legs were taken and a penalty was rightly awarded which Towle expertly dispatched to the bottom right corner. Harriers did mount a small fightback as the half drew to a close but it was too little too late and in truth Sports defence were rarely tested in the first half.

Half time: West Bridgford Harriers 0 Hucknall Sports 2

The sun was now so low that Sports backline and Keeper Kal Orton knew that they had to be at maximum concentration to see this match through. Early on Matt Leivers and Jacob Barlow were introduced and Barlow in particular stretched the Harriers right back time and again. West Bridgford knew that it was now or never for them, if they lost this game they were out of the promotion hunt. They gradually took control of midfield and started to play the type of football they are renowned for though it has to be said that Sports didn’t help their cause by continually trying to take on everyone in front of them rather than letting the ball do the work with a simple pass. Hucknall looked to score on the counter and chances were plentiful with Ollie Bowley, Barlow and Hallam all testing the keeper.

Harriers won a series of corners and made their height advantage count on one occasion when they met the ball first to power home a header to get themselves on the score sheet. Keeper Kal Orton made some fantastic interceptions and continues to show the bravery that few other keepers in the league possess. His outstanding moment came when he made a fantastic save when one-on-one with the Harriers striker. At the other end the Harriers keeper made an equally outstanding save to deny Dante Dirsio what would have been a contender for goal of the season when he beat away a shot that looked bound for the top corner. As the final whistle blew Sports celebrated victory and promotion back to Division One.

Full time:  West Bridgford Harriers 1 Hucknall Sports 2

Sometimes it is just about getting the ‘job done’ and so it proved today for Sports.

This was certainly not their best footballing performance, but if you can beat a team like West Bridgford when not playing particularly then you can’t be too critical.

Hucknall’s defensive line were immense, particularly in the first half, and they can all be very pleased with their performance – well done Dylan Smith, Captain Joe Newton, James Stenson, Kieran Green and Matt Leivers.

However, today’s winner of the Man of the Match award was Goalkeeper Kal Orton for a simply awesome display of goalkeeping. There is no braver keeper in the league and when he needs to make a save he can be relied upon to do so. He’s the quite man of the team but his performance today spoke volumes, particularly in the second half.

So, one more game to go to decide who are League Champions. We fear no one and bring it on!