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.