Spiders nick Draw with last Gasp Goal

U15's Saturday Division One Notts Youth League

West Bridgford Spiders 2 Hucknall Sports 2

5/4/14

Sports travelled the busy ring-road to Rushcliffe School for their Division One game with high flying West Bridgford Spiders who were looking for points to help their push for a second place finish. Not for the first time this season Hucknall’s preparations were hindered by injuries and could only field 11 fit players after injuries to Hallam, Leivers, Diriso, Blatherwick and midfield maestro Mitch Davies away on holiday.

West Bridgford are renowned for playing a neat and tidy passing game but for reasons best known to themselves they decided to employ a ‘long ball game’ and set their stall out from the kick-off with a rugby-style kick for touch. Sports on the other hand played the ball on the deck and the new look midfield of Tom Eastwood, Jarrod Davies and Ryan Towle proved an instant hit and linked the ball cleverly to their front players Danny Darlow and Maleek Batten.

Spiders, playing with the wind at their backs, won a series of corners and although Sports defended manfully they did get caught out on one occasion and the ball found the back of the net from close range. But with plenty of time on the clock Sports knew that their patient passing game would pay dividends eventually and so it proved. Good work from Kieran Green, Eastwood and Batten saw them win a corner of the left side. Up stepped Towle to rifle in a ball to the near post and inspirational leader James Stenson smashed in from close range. More long ball punts and corners from Spiders meant that Sports back-line were kept on their toes. But apart from Green making a neat clearance off the line Sports Keeper Kal Orton was rarely troubled.

Towards the end of the half Sports started to ‘pull the strings’ with Ellis Evans once again catching the eye with some terrific control and visionary passing. One such ball from Evans picked out Danny Darlow who looked to have put his team into the lead only for his shot to be booted clear after the keeper had parried. Half-time arrived with the scores level.

Half-Time: West Bridgford Spiders 1 Hucknall Sports 1

James Hallam came off the treatment table to help his team out in the second half and immediately caused problems. This boy doesn't know the meaning of a ‘lost cause’ and refused to give up on anything. Time and again he got himself between central defenders and goalkeeper but just couldn't get the little bit of luck that would see the ball nestle in the back of the net.

Sports had the wind at their backs now but still continued with their passing game. Jarrod Davies was immense in midfield and showed a glimpse of what was to come when he fired over from distance. Moments later the same player set his sights more accurately and smashed a tremendous 25 yard shot up and over Spiders keeper to put Sports into a well deserved lead. Dylan Smith and James Stenson took their lead from Davies and both showed great composure to move their team forward with neat passing rather than simply booting the ball forward. Smith in particularly showed great form to dribble the ball from defence to attack and was inches away from setting up Eastwood and Darlow. Hucknall were on top again and Batten nearly helped extend their lead when breaking down play high in opposition territory but just couldn’t found a team mate with the goal at Sports mercy.

With time running out Spiders threw everything they had at Sports but found Hucknall’s keeper Kal Orton in terrific form. He made a couple of top class saves in the dying moment that looked to have secured the points for his team.

But Sports hearts were broken when Spiders eventually found a way to goal from the final kick of the game when a corner evaded all Sports defenders and they tapped the ball home to snatch a draw.

Full-Time: West Bridgford Spiders 2 Hucknall Sports 2

Conceding this late in a game is heartbreaking when you have put so much effort in. But this should take nothing away from a brilliant Sports performance. For the majority of this game Hucknall played wonderfully well. If there is any criticism it is that Sports continued to try and play football instead of ‘shutting up shop’ but that’s simply not in our nature. We are ‘footballers’ and will not compromise on how we play whether it be the first or last minute – Cloughie would have been proud of you boys.

Kieran Green MOM

Sports Man of the Match today was Kieran ‘Greeny’ Green who must have covered every blade of grass. If there is a better left-back in this league then I have not see him. In a team performance that was truly wonderful he stood out. Whether it be heading, tackling, passing or driving his team forward – he did it all. Well done Greeny, brilliant stuff.

Finally, massive thanks to James Hallam for playing through the pain-barrier to ensure his team had at least one extra option on match day.

Three tough games left. Let’s continue to show everyone the quality and style that this side possess and play without fear – Come on Sports!!!