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.