Seven Up for Sports in the Shield

U16's Notts Shield

West Bridgford Harriers 2 Hucknall Sports 7

6/12/14

Sports travelled to Regatta Way for their Notts Shield 3^rd round match with Division 2 West Bridgford Harriers. Sports and Harriers had met many times in the past and Hucknall knew to their cost that the opposition always turned up with a positive attitude and looking to upset the form book.

As appears to be the norm with Sports their starting line-up was changed yet again from the previous week. Mitch Davies and Dylan Smith were stuck in traffic whilst Danny Darlow, Kieran Worthington and Maleek Batten were all missing. However, Sports couldn’t have started better when James Hallam smashed home after only 5 minutes when Jarrod Davies fed through a lovely through ball. But any thoughts of a Sports whitewash were quickly dismissed when Harriers got themselves back in the game with a neat finish when Sports defenders failed to clear the ball. Harriers confidence levels rose and for a 10 minute spell they really put Sports under pressure. A terrific in-swinging free-kick was headed over from close range and moments later Harriers were given the opportunity to take the lead when skipper James Stenson handled in his own area. Hucknall were let off the hook though as the spot-kick was skied up and over the bar. To add insult to injury Hucknall took the lead soon after when Adey Lang brought the ball down with a neat chest trap and played in Hallam for his second goal with a terrific left footed finish. Back came Harriers once again and Sports were thankful to a brilliant Matt Lievers tackle to avoid another chance on goal. Hucknall started to create more openings with Dante Diriso catching the eye with some great runs on his favoured right wing. Jarrod Davies was narrowly wide with a header from Lang’s corner and Ellis Evans well struck shot just missed at the far post. But half-time arrived with Sports holding the narrowest of leads in a very even sided game.

Half-Time: West Bridgford Harriers 1 Hucknall Sports 2

If the first half was close the second was not! Sports introduced Mitch Davies and Dylan Smith into the game and Davies soon made his mark. Hallam looked to be through for on goal again but his lobbed shot was clawed away by the Bridgford keeper. First to react to the loose ball was Davies though and he drove the ball home with the keeper trying desperately to recover his ground. Adey Lang got in on the scoring when he diverted a skillful volley past the wrong footed keeper after a great pass from Ellis Evans. Lang turned provider next when he freed Hallam to clinch his well deserved hat-trick and Man of the Match Award with a thunderbolt of a shot to take the score to 5-1. Hucknall were not done just yet. Jarrod Davies crashed a shot home after the ball broke free to him in penalty area and the final goal for Sports was calmly dispatched to the back of the net by Dante Diriso after great work from Eastwood and Lang. Harriers grabbed themselves a well deserved consolation goal and massive credit to them for keeping going and refusing to throw in the towel.

Full-Time: West Bridgford Harriers 2 Hucknall Sports 7

That’s two good victories on the bounce from Sports but without sounding churlish they know that they can play better football and will need to if they are to progress further in this competition. That said, on a bobbly, pitch they played some great football at times and the second half in particular was very good. This was a victory built on great passing and brilliant finishing.

James Hallam MOM

Today’s Man of the Match was James Hallam who gave a master class in scoring and showed great technique to finish well with both his left and right feet – well done James, keep it going.

On a day when we remembered the Christmas Day truce football match between English and German troops that took place 100 years ago on the frontline during World War One Sports could not have chosen a better opponent. Harriers are an example of all that is good in football and we wish them well for the rest of their season.

#footballremembers #properfootball