Last minute goal leaves Sports with all to play for in final game

U14's Saturday Division 1b 
Hucknall Sports 1 Keyworth United 1

27/4/13  

With Goosedale Sports Complex already given over to cricket Hucknall invited Keyworth United to make the long journey to Newstead Recreational Park instead. If Keyworth won they would clinch Runners-up spot and leave Sports in third.  

Both Dante Diriso and Ellis Evans were injured for this game and Sports mercurial midfielder Charlie Blatherwick was absent. So, not for the first time, Sports reshuffled the 'pack' . The teams started a little nervously and another poor pitch didn't really help generate good football. If anything Sports looked the more dangerous and Hallam did well early on to create a chance for Eastwood to shoot but he just couldn't get the ball out of his feet to enable a connection that would find the back of the net. Both teams won their share of corners but defenders handled the situation admirably. Chances were hard to come by but Eastwood had a serious shout for a penalty turned away and Towles dead-ball deliveries were ever dangerous but Sports just could not capitalise. 

Half time: Hucknall 0 Keyworth 0

In the second half Sports applied the early pressure and a great run from Matt Leivers won a penalty when he was fouled in the box. RYAN TOWLE had no hesitation grabbing hold of the ball and expertly dispatching it to the bottom right corner to put his team into the lead. Sports looked for more but just could not find the next goal. Keyworth's most dangerous attempts came from a series of free kicks and the warning signs were there for Sports defenders to keep their concentration. With the game looking to be heading Hucknall's way another long punt of a free kick fell to the feet of their unmarked striker only for Sports keeper Kal Orton to deny him with a fabulous reaction save. But cruelly the ball rebounded off of his own defender and into the back of the net. Hucknall might have been deflated but they gathered themselves one more time for the winner but despite looking to have won a free kick in a dangerous position a corner was given instead. The final whistle blew all too soon and Hucknall had to settle for the draw. 

Full Time: Hucknall 1 Keyworth 1

Sports have every reason to feel slightly robbed in this game given that they came so close. But Runners-up spot goes down to the last game of the season. Win that and the boys will be double runners-up in the same football calendar. 

Man of the Match today went to Matt Leivers who has improved enormously as this season has progressed. He continues to set the example to others and makes the game look easy - well done Matt, keep it going. 

At the start of the season we wanted to be a First Division team and the boys have delivered that. Now we have a chance to turn a good season into a GREAT one. 
Come on boys, I know you can do it.