Hucknall Sports under 8's Sunday, faced a real battle playing away against an undefeated Vernon Colts and that's exactly what they got.

On a big pitch Sports really needed to settle into their slick passing game from the start but Colts just wouldn't allow them time on the ball. Both sides were contesting every tackle, and chasing down every stray pass. It was Colts who had first sight of goal, with two corners in quick succession, but a combination of both Thomas Shaw and Thomas Howarth in the heart of the Sports defence managed to clear the pressure. Sports best chance of the half saw Joe Barnes out pace his marker to reach the ball first only to see the resulting shot superbly saved by the out-rushing keeper. The next chance was an identical one on one situation. This time it was Carter Newton in the Sports defence, who bravely dived at the forwards feet to pull off a fine block. The ball cruelly squirmed from his grasp, leaving the simplest of tap-ins for the Colts striker. Two minutes later, the Sports defence were overstretched leaving the striker unchallenged as he made it two nil to Colts.

 

 In the second half Sports showed real character, continuing to challenge for possession in all areas of the pitch. Indeed they were the livelier of the two teams, pushing forward at every opportunity in an attempt to claw themselves back into the game. However, the killer pass was missing, and a well marshalled Colts defence meant that actual shots on goal were few and far between. It was in fact Colts who added to their goal tally when one of their players was allowed to carry the ball virtually unchallenged for twenty yards, before cracking an unstoppable shot past Carter Newton for the third goal for Colts. This sealed a deserved 3-0 victory for an impressive Vernon Colts side.