Hucknall Sports U16's 3 Rise Park 2

This match represented more than just a Chairman's Cup tie for both sides - Sports were desperate for a win to cement their status as Division 2's premier team, and Rise Park would be seeking revenge with a passion after missing out narrowly on the league title.

In blustery conditions, Park had the wind at their backs for the first half, and used it to great effect to catch a disorganised Sports defence on the turn a great many times. Sports' backline was looking increasing fragile, and it was no surprise when an exposed Craig Raynor fumbled and Rise Park
sank their teeth into this game and drew first blood.

Thankfully, Sports too looked dangerous going forward, and when Cheeseman was played in beautifully, he spurned their best chance of the half when he hit his shot straight into the 'keeper's midriff.

Seemingly unperturbed, Rise Park moved the ball with some slick, sleek passing down to the other end, and won a corner. Dhiri showed the world why he is employed as a striker and not a defender when he tried to dribble the ball clear from the tight confines of his own penalty area, and with so many
Park players around, the ball was taken from him with much the same ease as one takes candy from a baby, to use a clichéd expression. Park swung the ball back in, and with the defence in tatters around him, Raynor tried to salvage the situation and claim the loose ball bouncing around the penalty
spot, but spilled it and the Park attacker chipped home deftly, to give them the second bite of the cherry.

Despite really pushing the boat out, Sports couldn't find a reply before half-time, with a Waldron header after good work from Wayne "Wonder" Booth down the right being the nearest they came.

Sports came out all guns blazing in the second, and poured men forward in search of a goal, but sadly they neglected their armour, and outnumbered and outgunned at the back, they rode their luck more than once as Park came desperately close to scoring on numerous occasions. Sports can be thankfull to two Billyeald goal-line clearances and some superb work from Jonny Hallam.

Time was running out quickly for Sports though, and with only fifteen minutes to go they were still down 2-0. Rise Park overcommitted on an attack though, and it was 3 on 3. Cheeseman flicked on, which left Waldron in the clear. He carried the ball into the penalty area, then slipped between goalkeeper and defender to leave Dhiri with an empty net to tap into. All of a sudden, it was game on...

It was another long ball, propelled by the wind, that led to Sports second goal. Cheeseman collected, turned his man, and slotted into the far corner with his unfavoured left foot to level affairs.

Rise Park began to lose discipline at this, epitomized when Tully kicked out after a couple of strong challenges. He was politely and quietly reminded that kicking is for girls, and the matter was resolved in reasonably amicable fashion.

A seemingly innocuous free-kick was awarded to Sports just inside Rise Park territory, and up stepped Ross Billyeald to float in a cross, or so everyone assumed. As Cheeseman distracted the 'keeper, the ball skimmed off the wet surface and rippled the net in the bottom corner. Sports had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.