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.