HUCKNALL SPORTS HOLD A PRIDE OF CARLTON LIONS INTO EXTRA TIME.

Division 3 Hucknall Sports raised their game yet again to give away precious little to the Division 2 visitors, Carlton Town Lions, in this Second Round Trophy tie. Supporters on all sides of the ground were thoroughly enthralled and entertained by an excellent display of creative football from both teams. Though after settling down, Hucknall took their game to the visitors, breaking at will to probe and unsettle the Carlton defence.

After 21 minutes, a flying break down the right by midfielder, Harry Beal, saw him reach the touch line with no where to go, but miraculously managed a turning recovery putting a low, hard driven cross over the Carlton goal mouth which was met by the advancing Ben Marvin to bury it home putting Sports ahead. Until well into the second half, Hucknall convincingly stayed off their opponents to maintain their lead, pressing for a second goal. However, the well organised team efforts of Carlton Town succeeded in trying Hucknall’s Man-of-the-Match ‘keeper on a number of occasions, before getting their timely equaliser with just 7 minutes to go, and extra time then beckoned.

The resulting 20 minutes were played with as much passion as the first 60. Hucknall succumbing eventually to the end to end pace, with Carlton securing the winner, just 4 minutes from time. Hucknall Sports can now press for the league division promotional place they want, with the knowledge that they are capable of producing what will be expected of them next season, when all this hard work pays off.