Bingham Town Red 1 Hucknall Sports U13's 7

Saturday 30th October 2004

HUCKNALL SPORTS: FIT TO BE AT THE TOP! 

An outstanding team performance from Hucknall Sports reminded their supporters what they are so capable of.  After an unsettled spell over the last 2 games, the team managed to find their familiar spirit and skills of smart play and ball control, that we have come to expect from this slick outfit. 

Ross Lamb opened the score sheet after just 8 minutes with a fine run starting near the halfway line, weaving through the Bingham defence to deliver a shot too tricky for the Bingham ‘keeper to contain on this heavy sodden pitch.  Hucknall settled to some secure constructive football, giving defenders the chance to probe forward and contribute to set pieces.  One such chance came from a corner to Adam Lynch to loft the ball into the box for Vijay Digpal to prod an easy shot into the net.  An unfortunate handball error 4 minutes later gave Digpal the opportunity to score from the remarked penalty spot, to take the half time score line to 0-3. 

It was a difficult day for goal keepers, and the home side had to contend with an on form attacking side shooting downhill on their goal in the first half.  After the break it was Bingham who played the slope to their advantage and got a goal back within a minute of the restart.  With the scent of a comeback in the air, Bingham dug in to give the visitors a run for their money.  However, Hucknall soon wised up to their opponents advantage and proceeded to display some fine defending skills from all 11 when necessary to fend off an equally fine, well sustained Bingham Town attack lasting 20 minutes or more. 

Hucknall’s fitness played a key part in the change to regain control of the match.  Against a side that were playing their first return to match play in 4 weeks, Hucknall were able to climb the hill and keep the ball in Bingham’s half of the pitch for the rest of the game.  A flying through ball from Lamb on the left to find Digpal on goal to complete his hatrick on 58 minutes was a joy to behold, to be complimented just 7 minutes later with another left wing manoeuvre, this time from Sam Sims to connect with Digpal.  Now able to switch lanes at will, a break in defence from Harry Beal on the right was instinctively taken by Danny Jones to again reach the perfectly poised Digpal to make it his 5^th and Hucknall’s 6^th.  The confusion in the Bingham defence was summed up by an unfortunate own goal from a superb Sam Sims cross just minutes from time.