Spiders nick Draw with last Gasp Goal

U15's Saturday Division One Notts Youth League

West Bridgford Spiders 2 Hucknall Sports 2

5/4/14

Sports travelled the busy ring-road to Rushcliffe School for their Division One game with high flying West Bridgford Spiders who were looking for points to help their push for a second place finish. Not for the first time this season Hucknall’s preparations were hindered by injuries and could only field 11 fit players after injuries to Hallam, Leivers, Diriso, Blatherwick and midfield maestro Mitch Davies away on holiday.

West Bridgford are renowned for playing a neat and tidy passing game but for reasons best known to themselves they decided to employ a ‘long ball game’ and set their stall out from the kick-off with a rugby-style kick for touch. Sports on the other hand played the ball on the deck and the new look midfield of Tom Eastwood, Jarrod Davies and Ryan Towle proved an instant hit and linked the ball cleverly to their front players Danny Darlow and Maleek Batten.

Spiders, playing with the wind at their backs, won a series of corners and although Sports defended manfully they did get caught out on one occasion and the ball found the back of the net from close range. But with plenty of time on the clock Sports knew that their patient passing game would pay dividends eventually and so it proved. Good work from Kieran Green, Eastwood and Batten saw them win a corner of the left side. Up stepped Towle to rifle in a ball to the near post and inspirational leader James Stenson smashed in from close range. More long ball punts and corners from Spiders meant that Sports back-line were kept on their toes. But apart from Green making a neat clearance off the line Sports Keeper Kal Orton was rarely troubled.

Towards the end of the half Sports started to ‘pull the strings’ with Ellis Evans once again catching the eye with some terrific control and visionary passing. One such ball from Evans picked out Danny Darlow who looked to have put his team into the lead only for his shot to be booted clear after the keeper had parried. Half-time arrived with the scores level.

Half-Time: West Bridgford Spiders 1 Hucknall Sports 1

James Hallam came off the treatment table to help his team out in the second half and immediately caused problems. This boy doesn't know the meaning of a ‘lost cause’ and refused to give up on anything. Time and again he got himself between central defenders and goalkeeper but just couldn't get the little bit of luck that would see the ball nestle in the back of the net.

Sports had the wind at their backs now but still continued with their passing game. Jarrod Davies was immense in midfield and showed a glimpse of what was to come when he fired over from distance. Moments later the same player set his sights more accurately and smashed a tremendous 25 yard shot up and over Spiders keeper to put Sports into a well deserved lead. Dylan Smith and James Stenson took their lead from Davies and both showed great composure to move their team forward with neat passing rather than simply booting the ball forward. Smith in particularly showed great form to dribble the ball from defence to attack and was inches away from setting up Eastwood and Darlow. Hucknall were on top again and Batten nearly helped extend their lead when breaking down play high in opposition territory but just couldn’t found a team mate with the goal at Sports mercy.

With time running out Spiders threw everything they had at Sports but found Hucknall’s keeper Kal Orton in terrific form. He made a couple of top class saves in the dying moment that looked to have secured the points for his team.

But Sports hearts were broken when Spiders eventually found a way to goal from the final kick of the game when a corner evaded all Sports defenders and they tapped the ball home to snatch a draw.

Full-Time: West Bridgford Spiders 2 Hucknall Sports 2

Conceding this late in a game is heartbreaking when you have put so much effort in. But this should take nothing away from a brilliant Sports performance. For the majority of this game Hucknall played wonderfully well. If there is any criticism it is that Sports continued to try and play football instead of ‘shutting up shop’ but that’s simply not in our nature. We are ‘footballers’ and will not compromise on how we play whether it be the first or last minute – Cloughie would have been proud of you boys.

Kieran Green MOM

Sports Man of the Match today was Kieran ‘Greeny’ Green who must have covered every blade of grass. If there is a better left-back in this league then I have not see him. In a team performance that was truly wonderful he stood out. Whether it be heading, tackling, passing or driving his team forward – he did it all. Well done Greeny, brilliant stuff.

Finally, massive thanks to James Hallam for playing through the pain-barrier to ensure his team had at least one extra option on match day.

Three tough games left. Let’s continue to show everyone the quality and style that this side possess and play without fear – Come on Sports!!!

Sports and Cav’s Share Points

U15's Saturday Division One Notts Youth League

Hucknall Sports 1 Edwalton Cavaliers 1

1/4/14

Hucknall Sports entertained Edwalton in a rearranged game at Goosedale Sports Complex on Tuesday evening. Sports had secured their Division One status some time ago but were looking for more points to help them climb the table. Edwalton on the other hand were seeking points to stave off relegation and came into the game on the back of some respectable recent results.

Playing on a bumpy Cottage pitch Sports started reasonably well and Dante Diriso, starting in his favoured right wing position, nearly scored within 10mins when he latched onto a defensive mistake only to see is shot well saved by the impressive Edwalton keeper. Sports new look line-up saw Charlie Blatherwick playing the lone striker with Ellis Evans just in behind him and the two combined well to create an opening that again the opposition keeper did well to save. Edwalton took the lead when a long punt forward took a massive bounce up and over the Sports keeper to present an easy tap-in.  Hucknall moved up a gear and won a series of corners but despite their best efforts and one particularly good header from Joe Newton they just couldn’t get the equaliser they deserved. A Newton free-kick bounced up and over the opposition keeper and looked destined for the back of the but for a last minute finger tip connection that diverted it for a corner. Late in the half Evans danced his way around 2 or 3 players to create an opening but just couldn’t find the back of the net after some great individual skill. Maleek Batten and Mitch Davies continued their assured partnership in midfield with both players showing boundless energy. However, at half-time the visitors were still in the lead and sensing victory.

Half-Time: Hucknall Sports 0 Edwalton 1

Sports moved Jarrod Davies into midfield alongside Ryan Towle for the second half. Davies clearly relished this more advanced role and drove his team forward at every opportunity. After what felt like an age Sports finally got their equaliser when Eastwood and Davies combine for Eastwood to smash the ball into the roof of the net. Sports were on top but just couldn’t find a clear rout to goal thanks to some great defending from Edwalton. In the closing stages of the game Towle stepped up to curl a free-kick just over the bar and at the  other end Kal Orton leapt high to push a goal bound shot up and over.

In the end a score draw was probably the right result but not what either team was hoping for.

Full-Time: Hucknall Sports 1 Edwalton 1

MOM Jarrod Davies

Sports Man of the Match tonight was Jarrod Davies who turned in a performance of real determination. He clearly enjoyed his chance to play a little further  and with injuries mounting it’s great to be able to move players around and not weaken the shape of the side – well done Jarrod

Four tough games left. Let’s show everyone the quality and style that this side possess and play without fear – Come on Sports!!!

Football Anyone?

U15's Saturday Division One Notts Youth League

Dunkirk Colts 3 Hucknall Sports 1

30/3/14

Hucknall Sports travelled to Lenton Lane for their first meeting of the season with high flying Dunkirk Colts. Earlier in the week Dunkirk had progressed to the final of the Cup with a comfortable 3-0 over table-toppers Greenwood Meadow so Sports were expecting a tough game.

Dunkirk kicked-off in a style more reminiscent of a rugby match than a football game and booted the ball sky high and 40 yards up to the far corner.  Sports resisted the temptation to copy the opposition and decided to play a more cultured style of football. Their midfield quartet of Tom Eastwood, Mitch Davies, Dante Diriso and Ryan Towle grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck from the first whistle and made sure that their team took control midfield.  Ellis Evans continued his terrific season and cleverly found space in the ‘hole’ to bring Sports wide players and strikers into the play. James Hallam started as the lone-striker but such was his determination and drive Dunkirk assigned four defenders to mark him. Even with such close attention he still managed to find a way through on goal and refused to give up on any through balls from his team mates. The combination of Evans and Hallam opened up the Colts defence to wonderful effect after only 10mins when Evans threaded a delightful ball in between Dunkirks defensive line for Hallam to sprint clear and clip the ball cleverly into the far corner. Dunkirk were stunned and the coaching volume was cranked up to the max in a desperate attempt to get their boys back into the game. Still Sports created the gaps and Dante Diriso sprinted clear of his marker to put in a brilliant cross with his ‘wrong’ foot only for it to evade the onrushing Hallam. Twenty minutes in Sports introduced five changes including the return of the mercurial Charlie Blatherwick. Danny Darlow continued his strong partnership with Matt Leivers and opened up the Dunkirk left back position with more clever Sports play. Tom Eastwood confidently took the ball from a short-corner and jinked his way into the box and was just about to ‘pull the trigger’ when a defender nicked the ball away. Another attack saw Sports smash the woodwork and a good opportunity for a shot on goal was blasted into the wall. Sports Keeper Orton produced a couple of terrific saves and Colts normally deadly strike force were wasteful at times and even contrived to miss an open goal.

Half-Time: Dunkirk 0 Hucknall Sports 1

With games coming quick and fast over the next few weeks Sports shuffled the deck once more at half-time and partnered Darlow with Ellis up front. Dunkirk re-entered the pitch with their managers instructions ‘ringing’ in their ears after an abject first half performance that belied there recent form. His instructions were clear to all and the long punt up field was used repeatedly. Sports backline of Jarrod Davies and James Stenson looked strong but were powerless to do anything about the equaliser after 20mins when a neat swivel and shot in the box found the back of the net. Dunkirk adopted a more physical approach and Sports players soon started dropping like flies after some brutal challenges. In the last 20mins of the game Hucknall lost three players to injury and unfortunately conceded two further goals, albeit one after a blatant push on Dylan Smith and the other with a shot that took a cruel deflection off Kieran Green into the net. Still time for Ryan Towle to hit the cross-bar from a terrific inswinging corner but in the end it was Dunkirk who walked away with all three points.

Full-Time: Dunkirk Colts 3 Hucknall Sports 1

With only 20mins left to play it looked like Sports would grab a famous victory but unfortunately the combative style of football from Dunkirk finally won out. However, much credit has to go to all 15 Hucknall boys for giving Colts one hell of a scare. Our football was terrific, particularly in the first half.

Kal Orton MOM

Sports Man of the Match today was Kal ‘the cat’ Orton for an unbelievable display of goalkeeping. The opposition players and management had their heads in their hands and looked on in sheer disbelief at some of the saves that he made. I doubt there was a better performance all weekend from any goalkeeper in the country. Well done Kal – simply outstanding.

I can’t finish this report without commenting on the contrast in styles of play. On the one hand Dunkirk punted the ball diagonally long to the corners to try and create their openings on goal. Whereas Sports on the other hand weaved a series of intricate passes to create their own openings. The result suggests that long balls are the most effective, but please shoot me if we EVER start to play like that - Brian Clough would be turning in his grave!

Honours Even between Sports and Colts

U15's Saturday Division One Notts Youth League

Hucknall Sports 2 Lowdham Colts 2

23/3/14

After yet another two week  break Hucknall Sports welcomed Lowdham Colts to Goosedale for this Division One fixture looking for a win to move them back up to third-place in the league and set-up a grandstand finish to the season.

Five minutes into the match it was clear that some of the Lowdham boys had arrived with an agenda to ‘rough-up’ Sports in an attempt to distract them from the game. Sports are no angels and can certainly hold their own, but it was disappointing to see opposition players high-fiving each other after one particularly bad foul but massive credit to Colts Manager for taking the offending player off shortly afterwards. The game settled down and Sports sought to get their traditional passing game going but time and again they were frustrated by the Cottage pitch surface as the ball bumped and bobbled all over the place. A ‘soft’ free kick for alleged pushing at a throw-in enable Colts to take the lead when an unmarked player scored with a neat header at the near post. Hucknall struck back within a minute when great combination play from Tom Eastwood and Ellis Evans presented a chance for Danny Darlow to finesse a shot beyond the keeper and into the far corner. Sports were on top now and Darlow nearly scored again soon after when a replica shot was pushed onto the post after a great save from the Colts keeper. Dante Diriso looked all set to smash in a shot only for a communication mix-up to see his own player take the ball away from him. The same player watched in amazement as his terrific corner to the ‘back stick’ went begging with no Sport player able to get their head on it.

Half-Time: Hucknall Sports 1 Lowdam Colts 1

Ryan Towle entered the fray in the second half and put Sports into the lead with a neatly taken free-kick from 25 yards. Hucknall looked odds on to extend their lead as Hallam burst through only for the referee to miss a blatant hand-ball and moments later Kieran Green burst clear on the left side and delivered a magnificent cross that Evans looked certain to tap into the open net only for a wicked bobble to take the ball away from him. Colts best chances came from a series of long range free-kicks from the half-way line but Hucknall’s central defensive unit of James Stenson and Joe Newton stood firm. Colts did eventually score an equaliser when Newton’s defensive header looped up and over Sports Keeper Kal Orton. This setup a frenetic last 10 minutes that saw both teams looking to snatch victory but in the end the referees whistle blew and the result was a draw.

Full-Time: Hucknall Sports 2 Lowdham Colts 2

It is a mark of how high Sports are setting their sights this season that this result feels like 3 points lost rather than 1 point gained. Sports need to remain calm in matches like these and stick to their game plan. All too often we were too quick to pass the ball from 20 yards away instead of driving forward and making the opposition commit before playing a simple 5 yard pass instead. However, there were some moments of real quality and once again the partnership of Matt Leivers, Danny Darlow and Ellis Evans worked well. Also the central midfield pairing of Mitch Davies and Tom Eastwood looked strong and very creative and certainly provide a different option in that position.

James Stenson MOM

Man of the Match today was James Stenson. His promising start to the season as team Captain had been cruelly cut short with a nasty injury that saw him unable to play for 8 weeks so it was great to have him back and playing at his magnificent best. His partnership with Joe Newton looked great and they were rarely trouble by a combative Colts forward line. Both boys set a terrific example of commitment to the team and go about their business quietly and efficiently. But James’s support from the touchline during his recuperation in the wettest winter on record shows how much he cares for the team and is a quality that others should aspire to.

Opposition Keeper foils Sports

U15's Saturday Division One Notts Youth League

Greenwood Meadows 2 Hucknall Sports 0

8/3/14

Two weeks after moving to third in the division with a great victory over Hyson Green Sports made the trip to top of the league Greenwood Meadows in confident mood.

Hucknall won the toss and elected to play into the wind on a dreadful pitch that would do nothing to encourage good football. Greenwood started the brightest and managed to get around the back of Sports defence on a number of occasions early on but no real threat on goal was generated thanks to some sound defending. Gradually, Hucknall found their passing game and the combination of Matt Leivers, Danny Darlow and Ellis Evans started to create openings to release Sports strikers. One such move saw Evans release James Hallam from his markers only to be denied by a tremendous saved from the opposition goalie. Meadows took the lead in dubious circumstances when Sports goalie and both centre half’s were bundled into the back of the net along with the ball from a wind-assisted corner, but unfortunately this was completely missed by the referee and the goal stood.

Sports introduced Ethan Barnes and Ryan Towle before half-time and Barnes looked all set to score only to be crudely tugged back as he was about to shoot. His resultant shot beat the keeper but came back off the post. The incident was unspotted by both the opposition linesman and referee.

Half-Time: Greenwood Meadows 1 Hucknall Sports 0

Sports adopted a different setup in the second half with Dante Diriso playing wide on the right hand-side and Towle moved to the left. The oppositions game plan was clearly waste as much time as they could possibly as they continually stood in front of the ball or kicked it away but alas the referee did nothing to punish this tactic. Midfield dynamo Mitch Davies had to leave the field after a kick to the head and James Stenson deputised whilst he recovered. Sports worked their socks off and the opposition goalie made a couple of terrific saves. Another appeal for a Sports penalty was waved away after Tom Eastwood was felled in a goalmouth scramble. A free-kick from Towle was plucked off of the head of Hallam and another kick from Davies was skilfully saved. With 5 minutes to go Sports pushed men forward in search of the equaliser. Jarrod Davies, who had bolstered Sports defence to be one of the best in the league when he returned to the club midway through the season, was inches from getting in on goal as he surged forward. A rapid break-away saw Sports outnumbered at the back and Greenwood’s man-mountain of a centre-forward found the back of the net to close the game out.

Full-Time: Greenwood Meadows 2 Hucknall Sports 0

Games like these leave a sour taste in the mouth and it’s very easy to find yourself getting annoyed with the antics of the opposition and poor officiating from the referee.

But let’s concentrate on the positives instead. Sports demonstrated that they are able to compete with the top teams in this division and the oppositions player of the match was clearly their keeper. There are more than enough points left to win to suggest that this league is far from finished yet.

MOM Kieran 'Greeny' Green

Man of the Match today was Kieran ‘Greeny’ Green who in truth is a contender every week for this award such is his level of performance. But this week, when playing against tough opposition, he stood out from the crowd with an assured lesson in defending and also prompting his team forward – awesome Greeny, keep it going.

Kal the Cat inspires Sports to Third

U15's Saturday Division One Notts Youth League

Hucknall Sports 3 Hyson Green 0

22/2/14

After another week without football Sports next game in Division One saw them up against their last opponents Hyson Green. That game had been really tough for both sets of boys due to strong howling winds and a dreadful pitch. Sports had had to come from behind twice but goals from new signing Ethan Barnes had helped them to eventually secure victory. This time around weather conditions were much improved and even the sun came out to welcome back Sports Skipper James Stenson from his 3 month injury lay off.

Hucknall started the game really, really, well and could have been out of sight in the first 10mins but chances went begging as James Hallam, Danny Darlow, Maleek Batten and Ethan Barnes all struggled to find the net. Frustration started to show and Hucknall’s  game plan went out of the window. Sports were unrecognisable as they started to look for long balls every time instead of varying their play. Changes were made to try and remind the boys of the plan but the frustration remained and Sports just couldn’t find a route to goal. In defence Hucknall were only troubled by Hyson Greens speculative, wind assisted, long balls over the top but centre-backs Joe Newton and Ryan Towle stood firm and anything that did get past them was expertly fielded by Kal Orton in goal.

Half-Time: Hucknall Sports 0 Hyson Green 0

Charles Blatherwick joined James Hallam up front in the second half and grabbed Sports first goal with an exquisite piece of skill that saw him dribble past 3 opposition defenders, ‘Ronaldo Chop’ in from the goal line and smash the ball low into the bottom right corner. This settled Sports and their usual style of football quickly returned. Maleek Batten danced his way through and was unlucky to see his shot deflected away. A good move started by Kieran Green drove Sports forward, Evans found Blatherwick on the edge of the box and with everyone expecting a shot he cleverly played in Dante Diriso who took his chance well and moved Sports further into the lead.

Hyson Green gathered themselves for a final effort to try and get themselves back into the game and had their best period of play midway through the second half where they forced a number of corners which were dealt with clinically by Sports. The turning point of the game came from the most unlikely of sources – Sports Goalie Kal Orton. As the opposition pushed for a goal he made what has to rank as the best save ever made by a boy in this league when firstly diving to his left to parry the ball away and then reacting quickly to flip the follow-up point blank shot up and over the bar. Moments later he showed fantastic vision to pick out Sports striker James Hallam who burst clear from his markers and killed the game off with a lovely finish when he finessed the ball around the on-rushing keeper.  

Full-Time: Hucknall Sports 3 Hyson Green 0

After a frustrating start to the game Sports eventually got the result they deserved. It was nice to have a full squad for the first time in ages and particularly pleasing to get James Stenson back into a game. This is a great squad where everyone has earned the right to ask for a place in the starting line up. The victory takes Sports to joint third in the division with eight games to go and we fear nobody.

MOM - Joe Newton

Today’s Man of the Match went to Joe Newton for a tremendous performance at centre half. He has played every minute of every game this season and leads the team by example as you would expect from a skipper. As well as stout defending he even found time for a Beckenbauer-like shot to the top corner only for it to drift wide – well done Joe, keep it up.

The final word has to go to Kal Orton and THAT save – there are no words left to describe it, so I’ll leave you to your own. 

Barnes Debut Double moves Sports up to Fifth

U15's Saturday Division One Notts Youth League

Hyson Green 2 Hucknall Sports 4

8/2/14

Hucknall Sports stop-start season saw them travel the short distance to Greenwich Avenue in Basford for a match against Hyson Green in the only Division One fixture to survive the poor weather. Injuries, illness and suspension had left Sports squad looking a little threadbare recently so they joined the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United to make a ‘deadline day’ signing of their own by bringing in local boy Ethan Barnes.

Playing with the strong wind at their backs Hyson Green made the best possible start by smashing in a ‘worldly’ goal after only 5mins. But Sports have a strong believe in their own abilities nowadays and refused to be bowed. Lead by Ellis Evans and some terrific energy from midfielders Mitch Davies, Matt Leivers and Maleek Batten Sports cleverly used their passing game to move the team forward and started to carve out opportunities. Tom Eastwood found the head of Evans from a series of corners but playing into a ferocious wind made it really difficult to get anything on goal with power. Eastwood looked dangerous on the left but had to leave the game with a nasty ankle injury after his great drive into the box was cleared by a last ditched tackle from the opposition keeper. Evans moved over to the left in his place and substitute Ethan Barnes was brought on to partner James Hallam up front. Two minutes on, Barnes used to his pace to streak clear of the last defender before smashing an absolute screamer into the top corner to mark his debut for Sports. Moments later good work between Hallam and Barnes looked to have resulted in a penalty only for the referee to wave play on.

Hyson Green, encouraged by the strengthening wind, continued to pick out shots from range but Sports Keeper Kal Orton fielded them well and rarely looked troubled. However, with only moments of the first half left to play a hopeful looping cross to the far post evaded all Sports defenders and was bundled into the net by Hyson Green to go into the break leading 2-1.

Half-Time: Hyson Green 2 Hucknall Sports 1

Sports only change after the break was to bring on Dante Diriso who took up position the on right wing as Hucknall looked to quickly try and get themselves back on level terms. Their equaliser dully arrived when central defender Jarrod Davies won the ball on the edge of his own penalty box and charged forward. His pass found Diriso who showed brilliant vision to pick out Barnes in a crowded penalty area to score his second of the game with a neat finish low into the bottom right corner. Diriso looked dangerous whenever he got the ball and was rewarded with a chance to try his luck from distanced with a free-kick that narrow missed the target with the keeper looking on helplessly. More Diriso action followed in the form of a masterclass on taking corners in such difficult conditions. He skilfully drove the ball in dangerously time and again and finally picked out Jarrod Davies who smashed in a towering header to move Sports into the lead for the first time in the game. Hyson Green threw men forward adventurously but Sports defensive line of Dylan Smith, Joe Newton, Jarrod Davies and Kieran Green played magnificently to repelled everything that was thrown at them. Kieran Green was caught with a late challenge as he drove his team forward but all credit to the referee for playing advantage to Sports and allow Hallam to show his own terrific pace to race into the area and cleverly use the wind to loop the ball up and over the opposition defence to grab a well deserved goal. Still time for more chances from Sports as Batten and Davies tried to extend the lead even further but finally the game ended and Hucknall celebrated a hard-earned victory.

Full-Time: Hyson Green 2 Hucknall Sports 4

Both teams deserve massive credit for playing a fantastic game of football in such poor conditions. When other teams shied away and cancelled games these two sets of boys rolled their sleeves up and got on with it.

Sports won the game due to a fantastic team effort where everyone played their part. But the contribution of Dante Diriso and Ethan Barnes deserves special mention and they ran Jarrod Davies very close for the Man of the Match Award.

However, Jarrod was the deserved winner in a game that saw him play wonderfully well in defence, drive his team forward to assist the equalising goal and then cap it off with a towering header – well done Jarrod, keep it up.

MOM Jarrod Davies

This great run of just 1 defeat in their last 7 games has seen Sports move to fifth in the league but keep playing like this and you never know where you might be at the end of the season - Keep it up everyone.