Sports up to second after double over Rolls

U14's Saturday Division 1b 

Rolls Royce 1 Hucknall Sports 3

23/4/13   

A large crowd bathed in late evening sunshine turned out to take in the local derby between Rolls Royce Leisure and Hucknall Sports at Watnall Road on Tuesday evening. Sports had won the first encounter 3-0 but both teams still had lots to play for in this final meeting between the two teams this season.

Playing on Rolls first team pitch should have meant that the very best of playing surfaces was guaranteed but in truth it was probably one of the worst pitches seen all year. Nevertheless, both teams set about trying to play good football and it was Rolls who started the brighter. Sports Keeper Kal Orton was called upon to make a number of saves and pushed one shot onto the cross-bar to keep his team in the game earlier on. Rolls put over a dangerous corner that Hucknall Sports defenders were happy to see cleared at the second attempt and for the second game running Sports held out during earlier pressure before gradually getting themselves into gear. Tom Eastwood and Dante Diriso provided the width and were a menace to their markers all night long. Sports free-kick specialist Ryan Towle put in a couple of fantastic efforts, one that just evaded the goal and the other that Eastwood narrowly missed getting on the end of. Hucknall were on top but needed a goal to reward their hard work and it wasn’t long before TOWLE obliged. He picked up the ball in midfield, created the space for his shot and then smashed it over Rolls keeper into the back of the net for a late contender for ‘Goal of the Season’. Rolls heads dropped and Sports sensed an opportunity for more goals. A series of dangerous corners were scrambled clear by the opposition until, with 10mins before half time, another Diriso corner picked out Sports Skipper JOE NEWTON who somehow bundled the ball into the back of the net with a combination of head, knee and foot. Sports went into the break leading 2-0.

Half time: Rolls Royce 0 Hucknall Sports 2

Charlie Blatherwick and Matt Leivers entered the game at half-time with the message to ensure that Hucknall kept possession of the ball and both carried out their instructions to the letter. Leivers once again caught the eye with his fantastic technique proving invaluable on such a poor surface. Time and again he provided the ‘out ball’ for Sports to take pressure off of themselves and drive his team forward. In central midfield Maleek Batten continued his impressive form to ensure that Sports won every 50:50 ball and deny Rolls any time. The opposition won a few free-kicks but none really tested Sports keeper. As the game entered the last 10mins Rolls punted a long ball over the top that Keeper Orton handle outside of his box to present another free-kick opportunity. But once again Rolls couldn’t hit the target. With only minutes left over elaborate play in midfield from Hucknall presented an opportunity for Kieran Beales to score and setup a grandstand finish. Only for Sports to immediately hit back when Eastwood and Blatherwick combined to set JAMES HALLAM free to score after rounding both central defender and goalkeeper.

Full time:  Rolls Royce 1 Hucknall Sports 3

Once again Sports started too slowly in this game and can thank Kal Orton and his defenders for keeping the team in the game early on. That said, once Sports settled they played some great stuff.

Selecting a Man of the Match was almost impossible as the entire team played so well. Special mentions go to the entire back four of Dylan Smith, Joe Newton, James Stenson and Kieran Green for defending so well in poor conditions.

But the award goes to Ryan Towle for an inspirational performance. His goal will live long in the memory – well done Ryan, keep it up.

Super Sports Stun League Leaders

U14's Saturday Division 1b 

Hucknall Sports 3 Lowdham Colts 0

20/4/13   

Fantastic sunshine greeted both teams as they arrived at Goosedale Sports Complex for this Division 1b fixture that saw Sports playing against league leaders Lowdham Colts. The opposition were unbeaten in 5 games since losing to Sports 2-1 just after Christmas so a close match was expected by all concerned.

Injury to Charlie Blatherwick meant that Sports started the game with Ryan Towle and Maleek Batten in centre midfield. Whilst last week’s Man-of-the-Match Ellis Evans retained his place alongside James Hallam up front.

Lowdham came charging out of the blocks and played some lovely football early on but were unable to capitalise. Sports on the other hand looked tired and their football was labored but a breakaway on the left side presented TOM EASTWOOD with a chance to shoot and he kept up his wonderful scoring record going by dispatching the ball low to the goalkeepers left. Lowdham were stunned but had no time to gather themselves before an exquisite ball from Maleek Batten put ELLIS (Welsh Wizard) EVANS through and he skilfully clipped the ball over the top of the onrushing keeper. Evans had a terrific game and gathered the ball off of his midfield to deliver telling passes both left and right time and again. He very nearly got a second goal when connecting with a neat header only for the keeper to make a good save down to his right. Before half-time Mitch Davies, returning from injury, entered the game in place of the impressive Ryan Towle. Sports midfield were first to everything and ensured their team made it to the break leading comfortably at 2-0.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 2 Lowdham Colts 0

Matt Leivers came on at half time and slotted into the right side of midfield. Sports readied themselves for an onslaught from Lowdham who were desperate for an early goal to get themselves back into the game. But Hucknall were in no mood to throw away their lead and if anything they took an even stronger grip of the game. The defensive unit of Kieran Green, Captain Joe Newton, James Stenson and Dylan Smith were absolutely immense and repelled all that Lowdham had to throw at them. Up front Diriso moved alongside Hallam and the pair stretched Lowdham all over the park. DANTE DIRISO latched onto a through ball and smashed the ball home for a goal that his performance totally deserved. Diriso very nearly followed up with a second moments later only for a fabulous last ditch tackle to clear the ball off of his toe as he was about to shoot. Having been on such a good run and being in sight of the League Championship Lowdham’s frustration grew as they simply could not get a foothold in the match.  But it’s hard to recall a shot on goal in the second half, such was Sports dominance. In the last 10mins Towle re-entered the match and helped steer his team home for a well deserved victory.

Full time:  Hucknall Sports 3 Lowdham Colts 0

When this game started Sports looked ragged but Tom Eastwood’s goal settled the nerves and from that point onward Hucknall were great.

Not for the first time this season the choice of man of the match was extremely difficult with every boy making such a massive contribution. Evans continued his great form, Eastwood terrorised another right-back, Matt Leivers played wonderfully well and the list of contenders goes on and on. But the standout performance today was from the newest member of the squad Maleek Batten. His determination to win everything in midfield was clear for all to see from the outset. But his game is not just about strength as he also showed that he has an eye for a pass – well done Maleek, very impressive.

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Thrilling Draw for Sports

U14's Saturday Division 1b 

Keyworth 3 Hucknall Sports 3

13/4/13   

After almost a month without a game Hucknall Sports travelled to Keyworth United for their sixth match in a very even league where it seems anyone can beat anyone.

With James Stenson serving a one match ban Sports had to shuffle the pack and Ryan Towle moved into central defence alongside Skipper Joe Newton. Charlie Blatherwick and new-boy Maleek Batten renewed their impressive partnership in midfield whilst Diriso and Hallam started up front. Playing into a strong wind Hucknall got off to a fantastic start when TOM EASTWOOD surged forward and somehow summoned the strength to combat the wind with a shot that looped up and over the keeper to put his team into the lead. But almost immediately Keyworth struck back when a lofted corner caught the wind and flew to the back post where it was easily converted. Sports were much the better team and their clever passing game actually made playing into the wind an advantage. Time and again Sports attacked both the left and right flanks with Eastwood and Diriso terrorising their markers. Blatherwick dictated play from the centre of midfield and Batten provided the strength to ensure that Hucknall won all the 50:50 balls. Batten linked up well with Eastwood and was unlucky to see run and shot just drift wide. Eastwood’s fantastic run to the heart of defence had the crowd on the edge of the seat but just as he was about to ‘pull the trigger’ Keyworth’s defender made an immaculate tackle. Further shots from Blatherwick, Hallam, Eastwood , Evans and Diriso showed how much Sports were on top. But poor marking in central midfield provided an opportunity for Keyworth to shoot from distance and the ball arrowed to the top corner to give Kal Orton now chance at all. Unbelievably, after having all the play Sports went into the break losing 2-1.

Half time: Keyworth United 2 Hucknall Sports 1

Hucknall got off to the worst possible start when they failed to clear their lines and gifted an easy goal for Keyworth to extend their lead to 3-1. How would Sports react? Well the answer empathic and the boys gathered themselves for a tremendous spell of pressure football that saw the score two goals in 10mins to level the scores. First MALEEK BATTEN smashed home from close range after Joe Newton’s effort headed towards the goal. Then, after good work from Dylan Smith, JAMES HALLAM ‘toe poked’ into the bottom corner to setup a grandstand finish to the game. A trademark Ryan Towle long range free-kick look to be heading over the Keyworth goalies head but he just managed to keep the ball out. Sport’s sense victory and drove forward again and again but shots from Evans and Eastwood were kept out with last ditched blocks. The last ‘play’ of the game saw Sports awarded a free kick on the edge of the box but Towle’s shot couldn’t beat the wall and in the end the points were shared.

Full time:  Keyworth Unted 3 Hucknall Sports 3

This was a terrific game with Sports playing some brilliant stuff throughout the match. In the end they just couldn’t get the winning goal that their performance deserved but after being down 3-1 with 20mins to go a draw is a good result.

Be proud of yourselves for playing a fantastic game and the rewards will come by continuing to play the same way.

Today’s winner of the Man of the Match Award was Ellis Evans for a wonderful performance up front. Ellis played clever game and found space time and time again to push his team forward – well done Ellis, awesome.