Sports display their own Dunkirk spirt

U16's Saturday Division One

Dunkirk 2 Hucknall Sports 0

28/3/15

Hucknall Sports last game of a 'roller-coaster' season took them to Lenton Lane and a match against Champions-elect Dunkirk. Sports had lost 5-1 against this opposition with a full strength squad to select from earlier in the season. So the prospect of facing them with only 9 fit players meant that this was going require a monumental effort to get anything out of the game.

Playing with a strong wind at their backs in the first half Sports were able to defend their goal reasonably easily. The only threat from Dunkirk came in the form of ex-Sports striker Adrian Lang but Hucknall keeper Kal Orton did well to come off his line on a couple of occasions and force his shots wide of the target. At the other end of the pitch Hucknall's best efforts came from a couple of long range efforts, one from Jarrod Davies and the other from Ellis Evans. With both teams defenses on top the score at half-time was 0-0.

Half-Time: Dunkirk 0 Hucknall Sports 0 

An injured Kieran Worthington had the best chance for Sports in the second half and was only inches away when he smashed in a first time shot after a flick on from a Dante Diriso corner. But, with only 15mins left to go Dunkirk finally broke through after poor marking from a corner saw the ball bundled into the net. Good work from Charlie Blatherwick set James Hallam free with a run on goal but his shot just missed at the far post from a difficult angle. Jarrod Davies looked set for a shot of his own only to stumble at the last moment when just about to 'pull the trigger'. Despite great resolve from Sports another corner presented Dunkirk with the decisive goal in the final moments of the game.

Full-Time: Dunkirk 2 Hucknall Sports 0

This match typified the spirit of Hucknall Sports. If you give them a 'mountain to climb' then they will pull together and give it everything they have and today that was certainly the case. To a man they all showed great pride in their work and made the opposition really work hard for their victory. That said, two goals conceded from corners points to a lack of concentration and not doing the basic things right. This is easily addressed on the training ground but has to be remembered on match day also.

James Stenson MOM

Today's Man of the Match award goes to James Stenson who along with Joe Newton had a tremendous game in the centre of defense. His block in the second half was reminiscent of John Terry at his very best for Chelsea - well done James (sorry to hear that you've broken your arm whilst at work!!!)

Not sure whether this will be our final game playing under the name 'Hucknall Sports' but if it is then thanks for all your efforts over the past 10 years. We've certainly experienced the high's and low's of football but I wouldn't swap the experience for anything. I'm really excited about the next next chapter where we will look to provide ourselves with an opportunity to play men's football.

Sports bad luck continues

U16's Saturday Division One

Long Eaton 5 Hucknall Sports 3

14/3/15

Sports raced into a 3-1 lead before half-time thanks to goals from Hallam, Towle and Worthington and looked all set for 3 points against bottom of the league Long Eaton. However, they lost Jarrod Davies, Mitch Davies and Keiran Green to injury before half time and could take nothing for granted.

Half-Time: Long Eaton 1 Hucknall Sports 3

The game turned completely on its head in the second half as the injuries took their toll on Sports. Long Eaton got themselves back into the game with a long range wind assisted effort and level with a well taken free kick after Joe Newton was adjudged to have fouled. Maleek Batten also limped out of the game leaving Sports bereft of their normally combative midfield. James Hallam made a great run and was unlucky not to find the net thanks to a save from Long Eaton's goalie. The opposition extended their lead further and then caught Sports with a sucker punch on the break as Hucknall went in search of the equaliser.

Full-Time: Long Eaton 5 Hucknall Sports 3

Well if Sports didn't have 'bad luck' then they would have no 'luck' at all. Before half-time this game looked all over and it appeared a formality that we would win. However, the injuries were simply too much for us to cope with and the final weeks will see us in a real 'dog-fight' at the bottom of the table.

Kieran Worthington MOM

Today's Man of the Match was Kieran Worthington. This boy has been so patient all season waiting for his chance to shine but he has taken his opportunity terrifically well and is now one of the first names on the team sheet - well done Wortho, it's a real pity that we had to move you to left back to cover for the injured Greeny but keep it up.

Hallam's Double brings victory at last for Sports

U16's Saturday Division One

Notts Coltz 0 Hucknall Sports 2

21/3/15

Sports penultimate match in the U16's Division One season saw them away to high flying Notts Coltz. Hucknall's recent bad luck has seen them drawn into the relegation battle and with 3 players missing trying to win away at Coltz was going to take a monumental effort.

Sports started with a changed line-up of Tom Eastwood and Jarrod Davies at the heart of midfield and James Stenson returned at the heart of defense along side Joe Newton. Both teams started quietly and clear cut chances were few and far between. Hucknall created an opportunity from a great corner by Eastwood but the ball was scrambled away to safety after being cleared off the line. Coltz lively front line broke free from Sports defenders but good work from Kal Orton narrowed the angle and the shot drifted wide. Hucknall took the lead when Ellis Evans cushioned header directly from a goal kick set James Hallam free and he made no mistake in smashing the ball home.
Unfortunately, Sport lost Tom Eastwood on the final whistle of the half when a late tackle ripped a gash in his knee. Thankfully, reports from hospital are that he has severe bruising and a cut that required stitches but no lasting damage.

Half-Time: Notts Coltz 0 Hucknall Sports 1 

Ryan Towle entered the game in place of Eastwood in midfield and showed some great composure on the ball at times as Sport looked to preserve their lead. Coltz, playing in their final game of the season, had other ideas and looked dangerous as they put in a series of crosses that Sports did really well to deal with. Hucknall Keeper Kal Orton was in fine form and capped off a great display with an unbelievable save to deny Coltz striker. Sports were playing on the break now and almost extended their lead when the impressive Kieran Worthington put James Hallam through but his thunderbolt shot just missed the far post. In a final role of the dice Coltz swapped to a forward line of 4 but it was Sports who took advantage of the space at the back when good work from Jarrod Davies broke up play in midfield and his terrific pass set Hallam free who made no mistake in coolly lobbing the keeper to give Sports a hard earned victory.

Full-Time: Notts Coltz 0 Hucknall Sports 2

In a 'roller coaster' of a final few games this was a brilliant victory. By the time the match was drawing to a close Sport were fielding only 10 fit players but their desire and will to win saw them over the line. It's been a while since we had a clean sheet and special mention to the work of the defensive group for their efforts today.

James Hallam MOM

The Man of the Match award goes to James Hallam who was back to his absolute best. He took his goals really well and provided a constant threat - well done James, keep it going.
Final word is to say that every boy who took part can hold their head high after this performance - well done everyone and let's have the same again next weekend.

Dante's Double all for nothing?

U16's Saturday Division One

Hucknall Sports 3 Lowdham 2

7/3/15

Although this game was abandoned due to reasons we are all aware of it is important to highlight some of the great play.

Playing on a different Goosedale pitch to normal and wearing our away kick so as not to clash with the opposition colours Hucknall Sports entered this game seeking victory against relegation threatened Lowdham.

Playing into the wind Sports sensibly played short passes to move the ball forward and were rewarded with an early goal by Jarrod Davies after good work on the left side from Mitch Davies. Soon after James Hallam was unlucky to see his shot just miss at the far post after a good move set him free. Playing on the right wing, Kieran Worthington was causing all sorts of problems and his interplay with Ellis Evans was a delight to see. Sports didn't really look troubled in defense but conceded an own goal after a cruel deflection from an inswinging corner and at half time the scores were level at 1-1

Half-Time: Hucknall Sports 1 Lowdham 1

Sports took the game to Lowdham in the second half but despite lots of pressure it was the opposition who took the lead from the penalty spot after their striker was brought down in a challenge with Hucknall keeper Kal Orton. Sports brought on Dante Diriso, Maleek Batten and Dylan Smith and the game almost immediately turned around. Diriso scored two stunning goals and almost helped himself to a hat trick when a raking shot from distance just missed the angle of post and bar. Tom Eastwood was unlucky not to put the game to bed with a great header. But with 1 min of extra time to play the game was abandoned.

Full-Time (ALMOST) : Hucknall Sports 3 Lowdham 2

Apart from the final moments of madness this was a terrific game that saw Sports returning to their old form. There was some great play today and the performances of Ellis Evans, Kieran Worthington and Matt Leivers all stood out.

MOM Dante Diriso

However, today's Man of the Match by an absolute mile was Dante Diriso. His performance after coming on as a second half substitute was nothing short of amazing. Well done Dante and let's hope that your efforts were not in vain.

Lack of discipline costs Sports

U16's Saturday Division One

Edwalton 3 Hucknall Sports 2

28/2/15

After a two week break Sports got back to league action seeking a win to ease any worries of relegation against an in-form Edwalton team. Earlier in the season gale force winds had played havoc for the teams first meeting and Edwalton snatched victory with a wind assisted shot late in the game.

As seems to be the case for Sports they started fantastically well and could have been 2 goals to the good inside the first 10mins. James Hallam picked out Tom Eastwood at the far post but his shot was adjudged off-side and soon after Hallam couldn't believe his eyes when he rounded the keeper only to see his shot cleared off the line against the post and across the area to rebound to safety off the other post - unbelievable. Jarrod Davies saw a good header narrowly miss the target but thankfully the goal came soon after when Joe Newton grabbed his first of the season when heading in from a corner. Sports were rampant and went in search of another goal that their play deserved. Dante Diriso and Ellis Evans in particular caught the eye with some terrific play. Charlie Blatherwick entered the game and his injection of pace on the left side caused problems but Sports just could not capitalise on their dominance. Totally against the run of play Edwalton got themselves back into the game when a long punt free-kick from around the half way line evaded everyone and ended in the back of the net. Sports couldn't believe their bad luck and entered the break all square but wondering how this could be the case after playing so well.

Half-Time: Edwalton 1 Hucknall Sports 1

The roles totally reversed after half-time and Edwalton played the better football. A neat through ball split Sports back line and a well taken finish but them into the lead. Hucknall started to lose their shape and looked for the long ball all too often instead of sticking to their passing game. Sports thought they had got themselves an equaliser from a Jarrod Davies header only to see it cleared off the line. But Hucknall did managed to get themselves level when Davies bundled the ball home from close range after a Ryan Towle free kick. Unfortunately, Sports went behind once more when an Edwalton long range effort rebounded off the woodwork straight into the path of their left winger to tap into an open net. Appeals for offside were unsurprisingly waved away. Hucknall fought like daemons to try and get another equaliser and another shot was clear off the line with Sports appealing for a goal. Kieran Worthington went close when set free by Kieran Green only for his lobbed shot to just drift over the bar. In the end Sports lost out once more to a single goal and victory was Edwaltons.

Full-Time: Edwalton 3 Hucknall Sports 2

This was the classic game of two halves. Sports were magnificent in the first but after going a goal behind they were only a shadow of themselves in the second. We have to believe in our game plan from start to end, whether we are winning or losing. Sure we can point to some rotten luck and dubious officiating but we also need to be disciplined and continued to play proper football not just hit and hope for the best.

MOM Joe Newton

Some great performances today, in particular from Mitch Davies, Dante Diriso and Ellis Evans. But today's Man of the Match goes to Joe Newton who continued his great run of form with a terrific first half display where he drove the team forward from the center of defense time and again. Well done Joe - keep it up.