Blues pip Sports in Thriller

U16's Saturday Division 1

Hucknall Sports 2 Trowell Blues 3

17/1/15

Despite drawing in the league in September Trowell had handed out a sound thrashing in the Cup just after Christmas to Sports so Hucknall went into this match looking to restore some pride and set the record straight.

Playing with a reshaped line-up Sports finally got a chance to play Ellis Evans in the 'hole' behind Hallam up front and the good football soon returned. Hucknall took the game to Trowell and looked in fine fettle. The opposition recognised the need to win the midfield battle and looked to impose themselves on game with a series of bruising challenges. But Hucknall's combination of Jarrod and Mitch Davies went toe-to-toe and gave as good as they got. Sports needed a goal to reward all their great play and they thought they had released Tom Eastwood for a run in on goal only to see the off-side flag being raised by the opposition linesman. But it was Blues who struck first when Gee slotted home a well taken shot. Soon after Sports appealed for a penalty after a goal bound shot hit the arm of the blues defender on the line but to no avail and half time arrived with Sports losing 1-0

Half-Time: Hucknall Sports 0 Trowell Blue 1

Sports introduced Charlie Blatherwick into the game just before the break with the instruction to chase everything down up front but frustratingly Trowell smashed a fluke goal from just inside the half-way line in the early moments of the second half with keeper Orton powerless to do anything. Sports refused to be bowed and got themselves back in the game when Blatherwick tucked away a neat shot and soon after the scores were level when Hallam reacted first to a loose ball in the opposition penalty area. It was anyone's game now and Sports pushed for another goal to put themselves into the lead but it just wouldn't come and with a draw looking the most likely outcome Blue stole the points when bundling in the winner from a corner.

Full-Time: Hucknall Sports 2 Trowell Blues 3

Ryan Towle MOM

Today's Man of the Match was Ryan Towle who had a terrific game at 'sweeper'. He listened to his instructions and carried them out to the full. Well done Ryan - keep it going now.

It's never nice to lose and after clawing ourselves back into this game we deserved something for our effort. Even the opposition manager suggested that a draw would have been a fair result. But let's not feel sorry for ourselves and instead look at the positives in this game. To a man, we stood up and be counted. Everyone played their part and didn't shirk a single challenge. Our stylish football returned and playing like this will bring it's rewards in the remaining games of the season and beyond. Well done guys and keep the faith.

Shot shy Sports pay the ultimate price

U16's Saturday Division 1

Hucknall Sports 1 Edwalton 2

10/1/15

In a welcome change Sports could boast 16 players for their game against Edwalton. A howling wind blowing directly down the pitch meant that this was always going to be a bit of a lottery with the winning team likely to be the one who could handle the conditions the best.

Sports won the toss and elected to play with the wind at their backs in first half. However, all instructions to test the keeper and gamble on the conditions with long range shots were forgotten. Instead Hucknall elected to maintain their passing game in the hope of picking their way through the opposition defense. Unfortunately, no matter how much possession they boasted the final pass was almost impossible to judge and regularly ran out of play or through to the keeper. Lang stumbled as he was about to pull the trigger and Hallam unselfishly squared across goal instead of driving on and smashing home. Sports managed just one shot from outside the area in the entire half of play and went into half time with the score level.

Half-Time: Hucknall Sports 0 Pelican 0

Edwalton took the lead when Sports failed to react to the second phase and stood watching as the opposition headed a bouncing ball home. Moments later Edwalton extended the lead further when they used the conditions to perfection to punt a long, wind assisted, shot up and over Keeper Orton. With time running out Towle couldn't quite get his shot away with the goal at his mercy and with only minutes left Lang scored after great work from Hallam. But time ran out and Sports trudge off knowing that they had missed another opportunity to take points.

Full-Time: Hucknall Sports 1 Edwalton 2

We can blame the conditions for a poor game but there is no excuse for not changing your game to suit them. As mentioned before football is not all about ability, some times its about be clever enough to see things differently.

Dylan Smith MOM

Today's Man of the Match was Dylan Smith who had a simply terrific game. Playing at right-back he showed for the ball time and again. He also took the opportunity to drive his team forward when the opportunity presented itself - well done Dylan, keep it going

Pelican put Sports to the sword

U16's Saturday Division 1

Hucknall Sports 1 Pelican 6

3/1/15

Sports first game back after the Christmas break saw them take on Pelican. In their only previous meeting Hucknall considered themselves unluckly to lose after playing well and failing to take their opportunities to score.

After recent snow the Goosesale pitch was heavy but perfectly playable and Sports started reasonably well and were unlucky not to take the lead when Hallam's shot was well saved by the Pelican keeper. Sports appealed for a penalty for the late challenge on Hallam before he got his shot away but it was waved away by the official. Hucknall players seems to be finding the conditions more difficult than their opponents and time and again Sports players seemed to be slipping over. Pelican took the lead with a well taken goal and extended it further when a speculative shot to the near post crept in. Late in the half Sports had another goal scoring opportunity denied when Pelican's keeper made another terrific save. That said, Sports considered themselves still in with a shout despite being two goals down at half time.

Half-Time: Hucknall Sports 0 Pelican 2

For the second game running Sports were almost unrecognisable in the second half of the game. Sure they lost Mitch Davies from midfield by there was still plenty of quality on show to mean that this should not have been crucial. However, Pelican ran riot and notched up another 4 goals to put the match well beyond the reach of Sports. Adey Lang did managed to grab a consolation goal to take his seasons tally to 15 but this was scant reward.

Full-Time: Hucknall Sports 1 Pelican 6

This was another disappointing result for Sports. We need to learn that there is more to winning a match than football ability alone. Sometime it is the things that you do without the ball that really have a effect.

Joe Newton MOM

Today's Man of the Match was Joe Newton who was commanding at the heart of defence for Sports. He also took the opportunity to drive his team forward and showed some real fight and determination - well done Joe.

Final word goes to Pelican for a really nice style of football that was very pleasing on the eye unless you were an Hucknall Sports supporter.