Disappointing end to a great game

Under 14 Saturday Cup
16-3-13
Long Eaton 2 Hucknall Sports 1

Sport drew first division rivals Long Eaton in the first round of the YEL Cup and arrived at the game in great spirit after a fantastic win the previous week.

Both teams are renowned for playing a 'passing' game but were going to have their work cut out on a truly dreadful pitch. Credit then to them both for getting the ball down and playing some nice football and the opening exchanges were very evenly matched. Hucknall welcomed back Mitch Davies into midfield and along with the impressive Ryan Towle, Matt Leivers and Tom Eastwood they set about ensuring that the opposition would not be able to control play as they like to do. Long Eaton struck first with a well taken goal  but Sports hit back almost immediately when Eastwood's shot looped over the keeper only to cannon back off of angle and post. Soon after Sports were awarded a free kick on the left side of the penalty area and this time they did get back on level terms when MITCH DAVIES smashed an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Soon after Dante Diriso made a dangerous run and was unlucky to see his shot hit the side netting. James Hallam linked well with Eastwood on the left side and smashed a ball across the area that Sports just could not convert. Hucknall were well on top as the referee blew for half time.

Half time: Long Eaton 1 Hucknall Sports 1

Sports introduced Ellis Evans in the second half and he was instrumental in feeding Diriso wide on the right but as he lined up his shot the Long Eaton defender got a block in and the ball was put out for a corner. Hucknall looked odds-on to take the lead and a great header from James Stenson looked goal bound but was cleared as it headed for the back of the net.
With time running down both teams gambled for the winner by pushing players forward and Long Eaton scored what turned out to be the winner when a slide-rule pass put in their left winger for his second of the game. Sports were not ready to give up hopes of an equaliser and Tom Eastwood's shot looked to be heading over the keeper only for him to make a great save.
In the final moments of the game and with Sports pushing more and more men forward they got caught on the break and were punished with a red card for James Stenson's last minute challenge.

Full time: Long Eaton 2 Hucknall Sports1

No one can fault Sports players effort in this game where they played well enough to win two matches let alone one. On a poor pitch they did some great stuff and continued where they left off the previous week.
There were so many good performances that the entire team were in line to take the award for man of the match for the second week running.

Unfortunately though, all the good play was over shadowed by the accusations of disrespecting the referee and opposition manager.
We can argue for a more common sense approach to the awarding of a red card with only moments to go but the other matters are very serious issues and our fate is in the hands of the FA.

Sparkling Sports stun Rolls

U14's Saturday Division 1b 

Hucknall Sports 3 Rolls Royce 0

9/3/13   

On a wet and windy day Hucknall Sports entertained local rivals Rolls Royce in the first meeting of the two teams since both clinched promotion to Division 1b at Christmas. The league table showed that there was nothing between the two teams and in the last encounter a Kieran Beales hat-trick had secured Rolls victory.

Once again Sports had to make last minute changes to their starting line-up when inspirational midfielder Mitch Davies pulled-up in the pre-match warm-up. Charlie Blatherwick was installed as his replacement alongside Ryan Towle with James Stenson resuming his defensive partnership with skipper Joe Newton after Kal Orton returned from injury. Hucknall set off like an express train and totally dominated the play early on with their midfield taking control and dictating play. Blatherwick in particular relished his return to the Sports team and set about giving a master class on creative football. The link from front to back was great to see for Sports supporters and it was BLATHERWICK who scored the first goal when a twisting, turning, run through midfield presented him with the opportunity to shoot and his deflected shot just crept in at the bottom left corner. Strikers Dante Diriso and James Hallam worked tirelessly to find space to receive the ball and pulled their markers all over the pitch. Hallam so nearly got on the score sheet himself when great cross from wide on the right found him unmarked only for Rolls keeper to block well. Tom Eastwood continued to find space on the left flank and his interplay with Diriso stood out. Time and again he managed to beat his opponent to the byline and cross dangerously but unfortunately Sports just could not capitalise. A looping EASTWOOD shot narrowly missed the target but he then secured Sports second goal when he smashed home after great work from Hallam on the right-hand side.

Rolls occasionally looked dangerous and persisted with their familiar long-ball approach looking to release the strikers but Sports defence were in no mood to allow a goal today and withstood everything, Kieren Green and Dylan Smith particularly catching the eye.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 2 Rolls Royce 0

An injury to James Stenson just before half-time meant that he was unable to return for the second half and once more Sports had to reshuffle the ‘pack’. Ryan Towle dropped to centre-half and new signing Maleek Batten took his place in midfield.

The next goal was going to be vital and Hucknall anticipated Rolls would come flying out of the blocks for the second half but instead the opposition appeared subdued. Sports continued where they left off and if anything gained an even tighter grip of the game. Matt Leivers maintained his wonderful run of form with a tireless display in midfield and he showed some lovely touches when cleverly threading passes to his strikers. HALLAM deservedly got on the score sheet when his lightening speed took him clear of the Rolls last man to finish exquisitely. Rolls only shot on target in the second half came from a free-kick that Kal Orton gathered in with little fuss. Tom Eastwood had a chance for his second of the game when Diriso released him late on but the impressive Rolls keeper saved expertly to keep the ball out.

The final whistle blew and Sports celebrated victory.

Full time:  Hucknall Sports 3 Rolls Royce 0

What a different a week makes! Sports couldn’t get out of first gear against Hyson Green but today they were ‘at it’ from the very first whistle.

Hucknall’s coaching staff finally saw the training ground potential converted into match day brilliance with a performance of the very highest quality.

The challenge now is to reproduce this level of performance every week and show that you really do ‘WANT IT’.

First the first time in the running of this team the award for Man of the Match was given to the entire team – well done everyone.

Freak Goal Punishes Sports

U14's Saturday Division 1b 

Hyson Green 1 Hucknall Sports 0

2/3/13   

After a no game the previous week Hucknall Sports travelled to Melbourne Park to take on Hyson Green. The run up to the game had not been ideal for Sports with Goalie Kal Orton and left back Kieran Green both suffering injuries. Fortunately Sports centre-half James Stenson didn’t hesitate to volunteer for the keepers shirt and Green showed real character to play through the pain barrier rather than letting his team mates down. Hucknall had to shuffle the pack and the line-up was almost unrecognisable from previous weeks with Ryan Towle dropped into the back four, Matt Leivers playing right-back, Dylan Smith right midfield and new boy Maleek Batten playing centre midfield.

On a dreadful pitch both teams started very cautiously. Sports created the first chance of note when Dante Diriso played in James Hallam but just as he was about to ‘pull the trigger’ the ball bobbled and his shot went astray. Hyson Green won a few corners which Sports defended without too much trouble. Stand-in Keeper James Stenson was commanding at the back and gathered any loose ball comfortably. Late on in the half Sports pressure from their own corner saw shots from Tom Eastwood and James Hallam blocked as Hyson Green ensured they had loads of bodies behind the ball. Eastwood had a strong shout for a penalty turned away by the referee but in truth the first half was one to forget with neither team troubling the opposition goalkeeper or managing to play particularly well.

Half time: Hyson Green 0 Hucknall Sports 0

The opposition started nicely in the second half and introduce their lightening striker within moments of the restart. Jacob Barlow narrowly missed out on converting a James Hallam pass with the ball just running out of play before he could get a hold of it. A nice move saw a half-chance fall to Tom Eastwood but he couldn’t find the target from a difficult angle. New boy Maleek Batten showed a great turn of pace to beat the Hyson Green back line to the ball and his shot troubled the goalie who gathered in at the second opportunity.

With the game looking like it was heading for a 0-0 draw Hyson Green won a corner on the left and Sports were left scratching their heads as the ball curled straight in at the far post.

Although time was running out Sports refused to give in and drove forward but just couldn’t breach the backline of the opposition before the final whistle blew.

Full time:  Hyson Green 1 Hucknall Sports 0

Quite how Sports failed to get something out of the game defies belief and it is hard to recall a shot from Hyson Green on target.

We can feel sorry for ourselves or decided to do something about it next Saturday. This team can achieve great things if they want to – it’s really in your hands boys.

Today’s winner of the Man of the Match Award was Matt Leivers for another outstanding performance – well done Matt and keep it up.