This match showed much about the character of Hucknall Sports as they only had 7 players available, due to Kieran Sheppard & Aaron Bond away at the 6-a-side competition in Great Yarmouth in support of their older brothers. The 7 players left, ran their socks off for each other in what was a very even and competitive game enjoyed by all that came to watch.

 

As the 1st half got under way you could see from the off that this was going to be a competitive match as the tackling from both sides were hard but fair. The first 10 minutes of the match though was a battle of the midfields but after this the match opened up and the first real shot on goal was a long range effort by Priory Celtic but this was saved by Will Onley, albeit by his legs. Soon afterwards Hucknall Sports began to apply some pressure through the midfield of Thomas Howarth, Ben Oscroft and Emilio Monaci, pressing Priory back which resulted in a string of corners, one of  which saw a penalty claim turned down for handball. As the 1st half was drawing to a close Priory Celtic had a penalty for hand ball given. This though this was far more clear as one of the Hucknall outfield players saved with his hands. The resulting penalty was coolly despatched in off the cross bar giving the goalkeeper no chance at all.

Straight from the kick-off though Hucknall pressed down the left wing. With good work from Joe Barnes, who forced a mistake by a defender he passed a good ball to Ben Oscroft who rounded 2 players before getting to the by-line and squaring the ball back for Emilio Monaci to slot home. This made the score, after an excellent half of football 1-1.

 

The 2nd half belonged more to Hucknall as the midfield and attack of Hucknall began to dominate and they had numerous shots on goal. But for some timely interceptions by the Priory defence and some brave goalkeeping by the Priory goalkeeper,  it was only a matter of time before Hucknall got the goal  they deserved through the tireless Joe Barnes who scored from just inside the penalty box. For the last 5 minutes Priory threw everything at Hucknall and they had numerous corners, but Hucknall defended admirably with both Andrew and Thomas Shaw having good games at the back.

 

On this hot day for football the 7 players of Hucknall Sports deserve to feel proud of themselves as they played their heart out for each other and not one of them let anybody down. WELL DONE.

 

Man of the Match for his tireless running and scoring the winning goal went to JOE BARNES.