The venue; a pitch that looked more suited to bog snorkeling. The opposition; a team sitting comfortably at the top of the table, boasting a perfect record of 11 wins from 11 games. Sports were going to need something a bit special if they were to take any of the points on offer.

The opposition showed their class from the off, almost scoring inside 10 seconds. Their opening attack went unchecked allowing a shot on goal from the edge of the box. One verbal volley from the Sports management team was enough to ensure that for the next 40 minutes, every tackle was contested with 100% total commitment. Throughout the opening minutes a pattern of play seemed to be emerging. Vernon were having the greater possession, but the tenacity and the sheer volume of tackles being made by the Hucknall side meant the end attempt was either rushed, blocked or well saved. Sports were then setting up chances of their own by counter attacking at pace. Ben Oscroft was so unlucky when his shot rebounded back out from the inside of the post after one quick break. Then followed another period of heavy Vernon pressure in which Thomas Howarth and Thomas Shaw both received rapturous applause from the packed touchline for their first rate defending. Another lightening fast break by Sports caught Vernon off guard. But this time instead of going direct for goal, Joe Barnes showed the tactical awareness of a player twice his age, by holding up play long enough for Kieran Sheppard to run on to the pass 8 yards out and put Sports one up with a clinical first time shot.

Sports almost scored again at the start of the second half. This time Kieran Sheppard hit the woodwork with a long looping shot that had the keeper well beaten. This was probably the last effort on goal of any note for Sports, as Vernon threw everything but the kitchen sink into attack in an attempt to maintain their unbeaten record. Sports though were displaying in abundance  the sort of attributes that win hard games. Emilio Monaci and Kieran Sheppard were constantly breaking up attack after attack in midfield. Conner Gilby did brilliantly well, playing in an unusual role at the heart of defence. But in the thick of it all were men of the match Thomas Howarth and Carter Newton. Both players saved certain goals in the dying minutes. Thomas clearing off the line and Carter bravely flicking the ball clear as the striker was about to score. This really was a cracker of a game, fully appreciated by both sets of supporters.