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.