Hucknall Sports U13's 1 Netherfield Colts 1

Saturday 22nd January 2005

A WAKE UP CALL FOR HUCKNALL SPORTS

Top of the table Hucknall Sports are well overdue for an off day, and fortunately for Netherfield Colts, it coincided with their visit to the Holgate Home Ground.

Hucknall made heavy work on a heavy pitch to maintain the pressure of sustained possession in their opponents half, which they managed throughout the majority of the game, but were unable to create the chances from which the usual flurry of goals come from.  Netherfield played their offside trap style of defensive football to good advantage, keeping the Hucknall attack away from the danger zone, making any shots on goal remain within the easy grasp of their capable ‘keeper. 

After a goalless first half, it was Hucknall who were able to snatch a quick goal just 4 minutes after the restart.  A cunning effort from Sam Sims moving stealthily into the box bringing the Netherfield defence in with him, allowed him then to pass the ball back out to the advancing unmarked Ross Lamb, to deliver a perfectly targeted shot from the left corner of the 18 yard box whistling into the right hand side netting, past the outstretched hands of the Netherfield ‘keeper.  Instead of inspiring the home side on, Hucknall seemed to then be on the receiving end, as the visitors stepped up their game in response.  The Netherfield attack got into gear, pressuring the Hucknall defence, who were also able to catch their forwards offside on occasion.  The Hucknall defenders managed to stay off the assault for a full 18 minutes before Colts managed to force a defensive error, an unlucky attempt to head clear resulted in a fumbled opportunity for an inbound Netherfield forward who was then able to poach and easy goal. 

Hucknall will need to learn from this narrow escape, to regroup and review their offensive strategy as well as finding ways to inspire their forwards into taking up the multi-role tasks of digging out in the midfield as well as being able to time runs through a defence that are eager to use the offside style of play.  The notable efforts of Kane Barker on the centre right were recognised in the Hucknall Man-of-the-Match award.