Kal the Cat inspires Sports to Third

U15's Saturday Division One Notts Youth League

Hucknall Sports 3 Hyson Green 0

22/2/14

After another week without football Sports next game in Division One saw them up against their last opponents Hyson Green. That game had been really tough for both sets of boys due to strong howling winds and a dreadful pitch. Sports had had to come from behind twice but goals from new signing Ethan Barnes had helped them to eventually secure victory. This time around weather conditions were much improved and even the sun came out to welcome back Sports Skipper James Stenson from his 3 month injury lay off.

Hucknall started the game really, really, well and could have been out of sight in the first 10mins but chances went begging as James Hallam, Danny Darlow, Maleek Batten and Ethan Barnes all struggled to find the net. Frustration started to show and Hucknall’s  game plan went out of the window. Sports were unrecognisable as they started to look for long balls every time instead of varying their play. Changes were made to try and remind the boys of the plan but the frustration remained and Sports just couldn’t find a route to goal. In defence Hucknall were only troubled by Hyson Greens speculative, wind assisted, long balls over the top but centre-backs Joe Newton and Ryan Towle stood firm and anything that did get past them was expertly fielded by Kal Orton in goal.

Half-Time: Hucknall Sports 0 Hyson Green 0

Charles Blatherwick joined James Hallam up front in the second half and grabbed Sports first goal with an exquisite piece of skill that saw him dribble past 3 opposition defenders, ‘Ronaldo Chop’ in from the goal line and smash the ball low into the bottom right corner. This settled Sports and their usual style of football quickly returned. Maleek Batten danced his way through and was unlucky to see his shot deflected away. A good move started by Kieran Green drove Sports forward, Evans found Blatherwick on the edge of the box and with everyone expecting a shot he cleverly played in Dante Diriso who took his chance well and moved Sports further into the lead.

Hyson Green gathered themselves for a final effort to try and get themselves back into the game and had their best period of play midway through the second half where they forced a number of corners which were dealt with clinically by Sports. The turning point of the game came from the most unlikely of sources – Sports Goalie Kal Orton. As the opposition pushed for a goal he made what has to rank as the best save ever made by a boy in this league when firstly diving to his left to parry the ball away and then reacting quickly to flip the follow-up point blank shot up and over the bar. Moments later he showed fantastic vision to pick out Sports striker James Hallam who burst clear from his markers and killed the game off with a lovely finish when he finessed the ball around the on-rushing keeper.  

Full-Time: Hucknall Sports 3 Hyson Green 0

After a frustrating start to the game Sports eventually got the result they deserved. It was nice to have a full squad for the first time in ages and particularly pleasing to get James Stenson back into a game. This is a great squad where everyone has earned the right to ask for a place in the starting line up. The victory takes Sports to joint third in the division with eight games to go and we fear nobody.

MOM - Joe Newton

Today’s Man of the Match went to Joe Newton for a tremendous performance at centre half. He has played every minute of every game this season and leads the team by example as you would expect from a skipper. As well as stout defending he even found time for a Beckenbauer-like shot to the top corner only for it to drift wide – well done Joe, keep it up.

The final word has to go to Kal Orton and THAT save – there are no words left to describe it, so I’ll leave you to your own.