Sports lose out to Ashfield once again

U14's Saturday Shield Quarter-final 

Hucknall Sports 1 Ashfield Youth 2

2/2/13   

Sports reward for a fantastic 3-1 victory against West Bridgford Spiders in the previous round of the Shield was a home fixture against Ashfield Youth of the Mansfield Chad league. Ashfield are a highly rated side and regularly win the Division One Championship. Last year they beat Sports in extra-time and made it all the way to the Shield final.

From the first tackle of the game it was clear that Ashfield had decided on a physical approach to the game and Sports knew that they would be in for a bruising encounter. Referee Dave Dennis was the perfect man to officiate and made it very clear that he was in charge and would not tolerate any dangerous play. Sports started well and the new ‘Christmas’ tree formation worked reasonably well with Dante Diriso and Tom Eastwood providing the threat on the wings. Hucknall struck first when a neat free-kick from Ryan Towle was expertly headed home by JAMES STENSON. Ashfield were clearly rattled and immediately pushed forward for the equaliser and looked dangerous from a series of corners and ‘Stoke City-style’ long throws. Tempers flared when an innocent looking tackle from Mitch Davies left an Ashfield player writhing on the floor only for the same player quickly recover and then lash out a boot in retaliation. Referee Dennis awarded a yellow card to Sports Davies and had no choice but to send off the Ashfield boy despite protest from their management. Sports were living dangerously and conceding far too many free kicks. Keeper Kal Orton made a fantastic save to keep his team in the lead. However, a free kick on the edge of the penalty area was expertly dispatched by Ashfield striker BRANDAN RICHARDS to the top corner and the teams went into half-time with the scores level.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 1 Ashfield 1

Things settled down in the second half but neither team really played their best football. Sports repeatedly looked for the long ball instead of being patient and keeping possession. Ashfield ensured the game was continually stopped by making numerous substitutions. Tom Eastwood’s looping shot evaded the Ashfield keeper but agonisingly dropped the wrong side of the cross-bar. Sports best chance came 10mins from time when Charlie Blatherwick set James Hallam free. Hallam’s cross from wide right found Matt Leivers who squared to Blatherwick in the box but neither he nor Tom Eastwood could get a shot away on target. Almost immediately Ashfield broke to the other end of the pitch, Sports midfield appeared to stop playing looking for an infringement and the visitor scored what proved to be the winning goal.

Full time:  Hucknall Sports 1 Ashfield Youth 2

This was certainly not a great game of football and there were far too many nasty elements to the game to make it enjoyable. For the second year running Sports have pushed one of Mansfield’s best teams all the way but eventually came up just short.

We wish Ashfield Youth all the best in the next round but can’t help wondering of what might have been.

Sports defensive four of Dylan Smith, Joe Newton, James Stenson and Kieran Green were immense today but the Man of the Match award went to Mitch Davies. He set the example to his team mates by continually ‘showing’ for the ball and made sure that Sports keep possession as much as possible as per the pre-match instructions – well done Mitch, great effort.