Honours Even in Local Derby

U15's Notts Youth League

Saturday Division 1 

Hucknall Sports 2 Rolls Royce 2

10/9/13

Hucknall Sports first home game of Division One saw them host local rivals Rolls Royce in a 6:15pm kick-off at Goosedale Sports Complex.

Injury to Sports skipper James Stenson meant a last minute reshuffle that saw Ryan Towle drop to centre-half and Maleek Batten partner Mitch Davies in midfield.

For the second game running Hucknall started slowly and looked considerably off the pace. Rolls stroked the ball around nicely without ever threatening Sports goal apart from a shot low to the right corner that Kal Orton saved comfortably.

However, Hucknall eventually found their passing game and started to find plenty of space out wide.

Sports took the lead when a short throw-in was nicely controlled by Batten who skilfully beat his man and swung over a cross that James Hallam smashed into the back of the net to open his account for the new season. Shortly after Sports were two up when Rolls keeper fouled Tom Eastwood and Towle expertly dispatched the penalty to the bottom right corner.  Rolls were fighting to stay in the game and keeper Eddie Ridley made a number of outstanding saves.

Half time: Hucknall Sports 2 Rolls Royce 0

Hucknall started the second half really well and got forward at every opportunity. Batten hit the post, Hallam forced good saves from the Rolls keeper and Danny Darlow had a chance to put the game out of site but just missed with a brave header at the far post. Sports knew that the next goal was going to vital and they looked odds-on to score until Rolls nicked on one the break through Trevell Lindo.

This gave Rolls renewed hope of victory and they worked hard to try and get the equaliser with a serious of Wimbledon-like long throws.

A full 6mins into injury time Rolls were awarded an indirect free-kick and in the ensuing scramble the ball was bundled into the back of the net with the last kick of the game.

Full time:  Hucknall Sports 2 Rolls Royce 2

Poor officiating certainly affected the outcome of this game and quite where that amount of injury time came from when the trainer was on the pitch only once in the second half we will never know. The award of an indirect free-kick was baffling given that Sports keeper Kal Orton was caught with a late challenge after gathering the ball but the referee obviously didn’t see it.

That said, Sports will know that they had the chances to put this game well beyond their opponents and need to be more clinical in front of goal.

We are all disappointed but will use this to strengthen our resolve to do well in this division.

James Hallam

Today’s winner of the Man of the Match Award was James Hallam for an outstanding performance at centre forward where he was almost unplayable at times. He ran the Rolls defence absolutely ragged – well done James, awesome.

Tough Start for Sports

U15's Notts Youth League

Saturday Division 1 

Trowell 4 Hucknall Sports 2

7/9/13

Hucknall Sports started their Notts Youth Division One campaign travelling to Pitt Lane for an away match against Trowell, a team tipped to win the division by many after an impressive season last year.

Sports had their entire squad to choose from and set themselves up with Ellis Evans playing just behind striker James Hallam. But they couldn’t have got off to a worse start when slack defending saw them concede a goal in the second minute.

Hucknall’s Keeper Kal Orton had to be on his toes in the early stages of the game and bravely dived at the feet of the Trowell striker to thwart a one-on-one attempt and followed that with a fantastic, cat-like, leap to tip a ball that was heading for the top corner just over the bar.

Sports eventually got themselves going and Dante Diriso started to find a route round the back of the opposition defence. One such run resulted in a corner that Charlie Blatherwick headed just over. On another occasion Sports looked set to equalise but they just couldn’t find a clear shot on goal with the ball bouncing around penalty area and Trowell’s goalie finally grabbed hold of  it.

With the half drawing to a close Hucknall got a well deserved equaliser after debutant Danny Darlow coolly stroked home a penalty after Hallam had been adjudged to be tripped.

Half time: Trowell 1 Hucknall Sports 1

The second half was very even with both teams playing some great football at times. Again Sports paid the price for not clearing their lines and Trowell’s ‘bruiser’ of a centre-forward bundled the ball into the net.  This seemed to inspire Sports to up their game and Skipper James Stenson had a wonderful shot from the edge of the box that just missed the far post. For the second time in the game Sports brought the scores back to level when Maleek Batten was fouled on the edge of the box and Blatherwick smashed the free-kick straight over the goalie and into the net.

As the match was nearing full time a wonder full goal from Trowell’s right wing put them into the lead once more but Sports refused to lie down and had two fantastic opportunities to equalise but Hallam’s flick was cleared off the line and Maleek Batten’s header was somehow clawed away at the last minute.

With Sports pushing forward they got caught on the break and conceded a penalty in the final seconds.

Full time:  Trowell 4 Hucknall Sports 2

Welcome to Division One boys. This was a tough game and we know that we can play much better but that said you can count yourselves very unlucky not to have taken something from the game. The opposition manager was full of praise for the way we refused to lie down and predicts a bright season for us – let’s make sure that we all work hard and do that. Our season starts Tuesday night now!

Dylan Smith

Today’s winner of the Man of the Match Award was Dylan Smith for an outstanding performance at right-back – well done Dylan, awesome.

2013-2014 Kit

2013-2014 Training Balls

2013-2014 Home Shirt

2013-2014 Home Shorts

2013-2014 Home Socks

Mansfield Referees Tournament Winners

Bentinck Miners Welfare, Kirkby-in-Ashfield
7/7/13

Congratulations to all the boys who won the Mansfield Referees Tournament this weekend.
In sweltering conditions they played x6 league games lasting 8 mins each and secured a place in the semi-finals thanks to 3 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss.

Sport faced Chesterfield Town in the semi's and had the lions share of the chances but just couldn't find the back of the net and the game went to a penalty shoot out. Hucknall were victorious thanks to fine penalties from Maleek Batten and Ellis Evans and two magnificent saves from Kal Orton.
In the Final Sports were drawn against Notts Colts and played superbly well to run out 2-0 winners with Matt Leivers and Maleek Batten scoring the goals.

Back Row (left to right): Tom Eastwood, Maleek Batten, Kal Orton, Ellis Evans
Front Row (left to right): Keiran Green, Dante Diriso (Captain), Matt Leivers

To win this tournament was great, but the style in which the boys played was equally pleasing. We conceded just 3 goals all day, played some great stuff against quality teams and scored some lovely goals of our own with Matt Leivers scoring the goal of the tournament in the final.

Team Report - Season 2012-2013

After splitting the leagues in two this literally became a tale of two seasons for Hucknall Sports U14’s.

Prior to Christmas Sports played in Division 2a and came runners-up with a fantastic record of:
Played 10, Won 7, Draw 2, Lost 1

After Christmas the boys played in Division 1b and missed out on Runners-up by a single point.

Season highlights include:

• Promotion
• 3^rd place in Division 1b
• Narrowly losing to Ashfield, the eventual winners of the Nottinghamshire Shield
• Double over our local rivals

It’s with mixed emotions that I mention since September there have been a number of changes in personnel, with four boys leaving and three new additions coming in. All the new boys have made a massive impact and helped improve the standard of football in the team such that we have retained our status as a Division One team for next year.

Personal thanks from Stewart to ‘Rue’ Hallam who has crafted a fantastic set of training drills that has sought to teach the boys to play a wonderful attractive style of football. Also, thanks to Justin Stenson for helping coach the boys too.

Many thanks to Dave Newton, Julian Davies and Adrian Evans for having the courage to volunteer for the linesman duties.

Thanks to Vonny Hallam for looking after the teams finances.

Thanks to all the mums and dads for their fabulous support and making sure the boys turn up to matches on time and in good spirits.

Final thanks to our sponsors Nottingham Audi and Belmar Services for their invaluable support.

At last season’s Presentation Evening we were feeling a little sorry for ourselves after missing out on promotion by goal difference. So, huge credit to the boys for rolling their sleeves up and showing the determination to put that right this time around. The two mini seasons have proven to be extremely competitive with no easy games. As a manager you want your team to improve and we have certainly done that. The football at times has been breathtaking and the boys deserve all the plaudits they have received for a fantastic 9 months.

Squad for the season included:

1. Kal Orton
2. Dylan Smith
3. Joe Newton (Captain)
4. James Stenson
5. Kieran Green
6. Ellis Evans
7. Mitch Davies
8. Matt Leivers
9. Ryan Towle
10. Dante Diriso
11. James Hallam
12. Charlie Blatherwick
13. Tom Eastwood
14. Maleek Batten
15. Jacob Barlow
16. Oliver Bowley
17. Owen Everton

Players Player of the Year

It was great to be able to welcome this boy back "home" for this season. He started his football with Hucknall Sports at the age of 6 before having to leave for pastures new when his team folded.  His impact has been enormous and he has provided the final piece to our impressive defensive line.

But he is a defender in the new mould and is just as comfortable setting up a goal as preventing one. His attitude is exemplary and it is impossible to recall him having a bad game.

This seasons Players Player of the Year is KIERAN 'GREENY' GREEN. 

Managers Player of the Year

In such a special season it is fair to say that any of the boys could have won this award. But this boy just pipped his team mates. He can play many different positions from defence to attack. He is superstitious and despite having brand new kit he has worn his lucky socks from two seasons ago all year long. 

He has terrorised the opposition right-backs all season and is joint top scorer with 18 goals and when you consider he is a midfielder that is a terrific return.  I know that he will be an extremely popular choice with everyone connected to the team.

This year’s winner of Managers Player of the Year is TOM 'EASTY' EASTWOOD

Most Improved Player

The award for Most Improved Player was very close as every boy in the team has improved their performance this season. In the end the winning margin for the second season running was just one vote.

There are few things more satisfying for a coach than a boy improving his footballing ability. From the age of 6 there was never any doubt that this boy had pace and skill in abundance but this season he has added strength and stamina to make him a first choice on the team sheet.

Playing up front or in midfield, it is clear that he has put a great deal of his own time into perfecting his football skills and he and his team mates are reaping the benefits.

He is the baby of the team in age only.

The Winner of the Most Improved Player is – DANTE DIRISO

Valiant Sports settle for Third Place

U14's Saturday Division 1b 
Long Eaton United 2 Hucknall Sports 0

8/5/13  

Sports final game of the season took them to Long Eaton United in need of a point to secure Runners-Up spot. Playing on the first-team pitch should have made for a showcase of football between two of the best teams in the league. But the surface was dreadful and resembled a 'park' pitch instead. Earlier in the season the two teams had met and there had been 'issues' that  meant any thoughts of Long Eaton doing Sports a 'favour' were highly unlikely.


In a very cagey first half it was Maleek Batten and Tom Eastwood who looked the most dangerous players for Sports. Batten with his rampaging runs through midfield caused mayhem and Eastwood continued his fine form on the left wing and got around the back of the United defence on numerous occasions.

After early scares from the United left winger Sports defenders rarely looked troubled and dealt with everything that the opposition had to throw at them. But with defenders on top both teams went into the break all square.

Half time: Long Eaton 0 Hucknall Sports 0

Matt Leivers entered the game in the second half as Sports pushed forward looking for goals. A corner from Sports left looked like it had been turned into the net for an own goal only for it to graze the post and go wide.
Then a seemingly innocent run at Sports right back saw Long Eaton score from the narrowest of angles when the ball somehow found the back of the net only yards from the goal-line.
Hucknall changed to three at the back and reintroduce Hallam and Diriso but just couldn't find a way to goal.

Full time: Long Eaton 2 Hucknall Sports 0

I thought we looked a bit tired today and maybe let the occasion get the better of us instead of playing our normal game.

Man of the match was Dylan Smith for a great performance against one of the most dangerous strikers in the league - well done Dyl.

At the start of the season we would have snapped your hand off for Promotion and then 3rd place in Division 1b. But I can't help feeling that we were worthy of Runners-Up spot and missed an opportunity.

Have a great Summer boys and look forward to next season in Division 1 of Notts Youth League.

Last minute goal leaves Sports with all to play for in final game

U14's Saturday Division 1b 
Hucknall Sports 1 Keyworth United 1

27/4/13  

With Goosedale Sports Complex already given over to cricket Hucknall invited Keyworth United to make the long journey to Newstead Recreational Park instead. If Keyworth won they would clinch Runners-up spot and leave Sports in third.  

Both Dante Diriso and Ellis Evans were injured for this game and Sports mercurial midfielder Charlie Blatherwick was absent. So, not for the first time, Sports reshuffled the 'pack' . The teams started a little nervously and another poor pitch didn't really help generate good football. If anything Sports looked the more dangerous and Hallam did well early on to create a chance for Eastwood to shoot but he just couldn't get the ball out of his feet to enable a connection that would find the back of the net. Both teams won their share of corners but defenders handled the situation admirably. Chances were hard to come by but Eastwood had a serious shout for a penalty turned away and Towles dead-ball deliveries were ever dangerous but Sports just could not capitalise. 

Half time: Hucknall 0 Keyworth 0

In the second half Sports applied the early pressure and a great run from Matt Leivers won a penalty when he was fouled in the box. RYAN TOWLE had no hesitation grabbing hold of the ball and expertly dispatching it to the bottom right corner to put his team into the lead. Sports looked for more but just could not find the next goal. Keyworth's most dangerous attempts came from a series of free kicks and the warning signs were there for Sports defenders to keep their concentration. With the game looking to be heading Hucknall's way another long punt of a free kick fell to the feet of their unmarked striker only for Sports keeper Kal Orton to deny him with a fabulous reaction save. But cruelly the ball rebounded off of his own defender and into the back of the net. Hucknall might have been deflated but they gathered themselves one more time for the winner but despite looking to have won a free kick in a dangerous position a corner was given instead. The final whistle blew all too soon and Hucknall had to settle for the draw. 

Full Time: Hucknall 1 Keyworth 1

Sports have every reason to feel slightly robbed in this game given that they came so close. But Runners-up spot goes down to the last game of the season. Win that and the boys will be double runners-up in the same football calendar. 

Man of the Match today went to Matt Leivers who has improved enormously as this season has progressed. He continues to set the example to others and makes the game look easy - well done Matt, keep it going. 

At the start of the season we wanted to be a First Division team and the boys have delivered that. Now we have a chance to turn a good season into a GREAT one. 
Come on boys, I know you can do it.