Dunkirk defeat Sports

U15's Saturday Division One Notts Youth League

Hucknall Sports 1 Dunkirk Colts 3

12/4/14

Sports welcomed Dunkirk Clots to Goosedale Saturday’s Division One game. Dunkirk had a slow start to the season but improved dramatically after the return of various ex-academy players and recently made it to the Final of the League Cup.

Playing with the wind at their backs Colts started the stronger of the two teams and laid siege to Sports goal from the outset. As seems to be the pattern of recent games Hucknall’s defensive line worked extremely hard to stop their goal from being breeched and made some fantastic last ditched tackles to deny the opposition. Sports Keeper, Kal Orton, continued his impressive run of form with another series to truly world-class saves that left the Dunkirk management team with their heads in the hands wondering what they needed to do. Finally, and somewhat inevitably, the goal came when poor tracking back by Sports midfielders allowed Dunkirk a shot on goal that arrowed into the top corner with Orton powerless to do anything about it. However, the lead was quickly pegged back after a sweeping left-sided moved from Hucknall saw Tom Eastwood cross for Maleek Batten to calmly side foot into the net. This gave Sports the confidence to move forward and James Hallam worried the Colts defence time and again with his blistering pace and combative style. Hucknall finished the half on top but just couldn’t find a goal to move their team into the lead.

Half-Time: Hucknall Sports 1 Dunkirk 1

Hucknall had the wind at their backs for the second half and started confidently enough and early on the combination of Batten and Hallam looked like it would bring more goals. Batten broke down play high in the opposition half but just couldn’t find his team mate with the goal begging. Hallam looked to have been upended in the box after a trademark run saw him power past a number of Dunkirk defenders but the fact that he stayed on his feet appeared to encourage the referee that no infringement had taken place. Dunkirk retook the lead after a well worked move saw them cross from the left side and finish neatly. This was quickly followed by the decisive goal as Sports marking went astray. Hallam tried disparately to get his team back into the game but just could find a way past the opposition keeper after a terrific run in the final moments of the match.

Full-Time: Hucknall Sports 1 Dunkirk 3

There was a time when playing well but losing to a top team in the division was worthy of praise and Sports certainly had their moments in this game. But you couldn’t help think that this was a missed opportunity for Sports to grab a result that would have sent a really strong message to the other teams that they are a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, second half instructions were ignored and some players appeared more intent on trying to wind-up opposition players or talk with team mates instead of concentrating on the game.

Kal Orton  MOM

Sports Man of the Match today was Kal Orton who was simply outstanding. It has been said many times, but he is simply the most naturally gifted Goalkeeper in the Division and continues to have a spectacular season for Sports.

Two games left, both of which are winnable - COYS