Sports come out on top in local Derby

Notts Youth League
U15's Saturday Division One 
Rolls Royce 0 Hucknall Sports 2
23/11/13

After a five week break followed by two weeks of cup matches Hucknall Sports had almost forgotten what league football felt like.Their stop start season had seen them complete only 4 league games and with Christmas and the bad weather fast approaching they needed to get their season going with a victory. 

But although Sports had had the best of the recent league games Rolls had turned over Sports only two weeks earlier to progress in the Cup so a tight game was predicted.Hucknall welcomed back Charlie Blatherwick into midfield alongside Mitch Davies and Ryan Towle filled in at centre-back in place of injured Skipper James Stenson.It was Sports who started the better and they laid siege to the Rolls goal from the outset. Wingers Tom Eastwood and Dante Diriso provided a constant threat and striker James Hallam continue where he had left off the previous week by terrorising his markers. 

It was HALLAM who opened the scoring for Hucknall when he got on the end of a clever through-ball from Maleek Batten to steer the ball past Eddie Ridley in the Rolls goal. Sports kept the pressure up and won a series of corners that were delivered expertly by Diriso and it was MITCH DAVIES who got the second from a corner when he smashed home a header at the far post. Hucknall were rampant and Rolls Keeper Ridley had to be at his best to keep out a Blatherwick rocket. Further shots from Diriso and Batten clattered the woodwork as Sports looked to extend their lead. Whilst at the back Dylan Smith, Ryan Towle, Joe Newton and Kieran Green limited Rolls to a few speculative long shots that never really threatened the goal.

Half-Time: Rolls Royce 0 Hucknall Sports 2

Sports introduced Matt Leivers, Ellis Evans and Danny Darlow in the second half knowing that Rolls would come storming out of the blocks looking for the goal that would get them back into the game.The midfield battle was intense and a few tackles brought tears to the eye, but Sports quartet of Davies, Leivers, Evans and Batten backed up by a tremendous defensive line thwarted Rolls time and again. Keiran Beales looked the most likely to present a threat but having got the better of Sports in the cup Hucknall were in no mood for a repeat performance from him. Sports soaked up the inevitable early pressure and managed to find Hallam or Darlow with clever out-balls. Hallam was tireless and on another day could have got a second half hat-trick, he chased everything down and took the pressure off his defence by forcing Rolls to play in their own half.Late in the game injuries to Batten and Davies forced Sports into more changes and Skipper Stenson returned for a 10 minute cameo performance to help steer his team over the line to victory.

Final Score: Rolls Royce 0 Hucknall Sports 2

In previous weeks Sports had looked out of sorts at times and the lengthy break from football had broken up any momentum that they had. But today they returned to their brilliant best. All the training ground work was put to practise and they got their rewards.
The whole team played their part in this victory but special mention goes to Sports backline for a job well done. A clean sheet in Division One is always a tough ask but today they never looked like conceding.

Kieran Green

The winner of the Man of the Match came from the defensive unit and the eventually winner was Kieran Green for terrific display where he defended stoutly, received the ball from his keeper and linked play to his midfielders with crisp and accurate passing – brilliant Kieran, well done.

Let’s use this performance to kick-on now boys!

Ashfield knock Sports out of Shield

U15's Shield

Ashfield 3 Hucknall Sports 0

19/11/13

For the third year running Hucknall Sports drew top Mansfield side Ashfield Youth in the Nottinghamshire Shield. Ashfield had got the better of previous encounters but only by a single goal.  So Sports went into this game hoping to reverse their fortunes.

On a poor pitch both sides started cautiously as they weighed each other up. Skipper James Stenson had to leave the field for a 'blood' injury early on and Ryan Towle stepped into the back line as cover whist he had treatment. Ashfield gradually increased the pressure and won a series of corners that Stenson and Joe Newton did well to deal with. The opposition were unlucky to see shots skim the woodwork and keeper Kal Orton made solid saves from those that were on target.Eventually, they broke the deadlock when Copeland found the back of the net as the ball was cleared to the edge of the area.

Sports were very lively up front and James Hallam gave a masterclass in leading the line. He never gave the Ashfield defenders any time to settle on the ball and unnerved them all afternoon and looked set to score only for a last ditch block by a defender.

Half-Time: Ashfield 1 Hucknall Sports 0

With the wind at their backs in the second half Sports looked to get back on level terms but as legs got tired then the mistakes started to creep in. Ashfield stretched Sports defensive line and grabbed two more goals to settle the match. Stenson had to leave the field once more for a nasty gash just below his knee. Maleek Batten and Tom Eastwood also suffered injuries and in the end it felt like 'last man standing' for Sports.

Final Score: Ashfield 3 Hucknall Sports 0

Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and accept that the better team won and today was one of those days. 

But Sports can take lots of positives from their play. They continued to try to be creative and looked to release players through a series of passes instead of a 'big boot' over the top.

Kal Orton managed to play short to his defenders on many occasions and in midfield Maleek Batten and Mitch Davies linked play really nicely at times.

James Hallam

Today's Man of the Match went to James Hallam for a terrific performance as centre forward. His work-rate was absolutely amazing and he ensured that the Ashfield defenders were kept on their toes all game long - well done James.

Rusty Sports crash out of Cup

U15's Cup

Hucknall Sports 1 Rolls Royce 3

9/11/13

  

After a five week gap Hucknall Sports U15’s at last took to the field in a cup match against local rivals Rolls Royce.

Sports had good possession early on and Danny Darlow went close to opening the scoring in the first 10mins when pushing an effort narrowly wide. Good combination play between Tom Eastwood and Kieran Green looked the most likely to create chances for Sports but Rolls defenders stood strong and did well. The lively Kieran Beales won a number of free-kicks in and around the edge of Sports penalty area but Hucknall keeper Kal Orton was more than a match and protected his goal well. Rolls were first to score when pulling a ball back from the goal line for Tom Dickin to drive home. With 10mins to go in the first half Mitch Davies received a ball from a throw-in level with Rolls penalty area and managed to find Ellis Evans who hit an absolute screamer to level the scores and set things up for a tense second half.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 1 Rolls Royce 1

Rolls took control of the game by scoring 2 goals in the first 20mins of the second half through Beales and an unfortunate own-goal by Maleek Batten when the ball rebounded of him and into the net from a corner. As Sports pushed to get back into the game they risked conceding further goals but keep Kal Orton was in great form and never looked like being beaten again. A great run and cross from Hucknall’s Green just evaded James Hallam and Matt Leivers at the far post. Rolls Keeper Eddie Ridley expertly dealt with long range shots from Ryan Towle. In the final moments Sports looked set to get back into the game only for Hallam to be denied by a good block and in the final moments Darlow’s wonderful run saw his lobbed shot land on top of the cross-bar.

Full time:  Hucknall Sports 1 Rolls Royce 3

Sometimes it is simply not your day and today was certainly not Sports. They had the majority of the possession but just could not get the goals to win this game. We looked rusty and chose the wrong option time and again. But all credit to Rolls who were worthy winners on this occasion and best of luck in the next round of the Cup.

Kal Orton

Man of the Match today was won by Kal Orton. Being a goalie  is a thankless task where any mistake tends to result in a goal. But today’s performance was faultless – well done.