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.