No Luck for Sports

U16's Saturday Division One

Hucknall Sports 2 Dunkirk 5

15/11/14

After two successive weeks of cup games and a total of 24 goals Hucknall Sports entertained Dunkirk with confidence running high.

Dunkirk had the first attack of the game but Sports had the first scoring opportunity when James Hallam linked well with strike partner Adey Lang who cleverly lobbed the keeper but looked on in agony as his shot was scrambled off the line. Another terrific move saw Tom Eastwood set free on the left and his shot narrowly missed at the far post. With Sports having all the play it was important to make it pay and score the goal that they deserved. A clinical move involving Ellis Evans saw Jarrod Davies play a through ball to set James Hallam free in front of goal and he finished brilliantly to put Sports ahead. Dunkirk were shocked and the volume level from the touch line was increased as their defence looked vulnerable every time Sports got a hold of the ball. A hopeful ‘punt’ up field from Dunkirk brought about some indecision between Hucknall's defence and goalkeeper to present an easy chance to equalise and no mistake was made. But Sports were in no mood to take a back seat in this game and stormed forward time and again. Their brilliant build-up play was utterly mesmerising  but unfortunately they just couldn’t find the end product to put the ball into the net. Towards the end of the half Lang thought he’d won a penalty as he broke away from the Dunkirk keeper but his honesty in staying on his feet meant that the referee didn’t judge the tackle as a foul.

Half-Time: Hucknall Sports 1 Dunkirk 1

Hucknall started the second half as they left off the first. But against the run of play Dunkirk took the lead with a good finish from a cross from the right hand side and then went further into the lead moments later. Sports were scratching their heads wondering how they could be losing this game after having all the play. Showing great resolve they got themselves back in the game when an Eastwood corner found Danny Darlow at the far post. His goal bound header was well saved but Jarrod Davies was on hand to smash in the rebound for his 11^th goal of the season to give Sports a chance.  A dubious free-kick awarded to Dunkirk wide on the left side should have presented no danger to Sports but a speculative ball looking for a far post header dropped into the back of the net after deceiving everyone. To add insult to injury Dunkirk put the game out of sight when they scored a fluke goal straight from a corner – if Sports didn’t have bad luck, then they would have no luck at all. As if things couldn’t get any worse Joe Newton was sent off for a second bookable offense and then Hucknall Skipper James Stenson was carried off with a nasty looking injury. Even playing with 10 men Hucknall were still creating chances but despite all their efforts the game was lost.

Full-Time: Hucknall Sports 2 Dunkirk 5

Sometimes it’s just not your day and today that was certainly the case for Sports. No one could question their desire and effort and there is little doubt that they played the best football. But next week is another game and a chance to put things right.

After all the events of Friday nights “Children in Need” it’s worth remembering that we are the lucky ones.

MOM Matt Leivers

Today’s winner of the Man of the Match award was Matt Leivers. He’s waited a long time to be given a chance to regularly start for Sports and even though he is playing out of position he has taken the opportunity with both hands -Well done Matt

#properfootball