Sherwood Vipers 2 Hucknall Sports U12's Saturday 5

Saturday 4th March 2006

Sports completed a well deserved ‘double’ over Sherwood with this win. 

Fielding their strongest side of the season Sports started sluggishly on a heavy pitch and were lucky to go one up when a mistake from the Sherwood keeper allowed Josh Leatherland from outside the area to clinically put the ball into an unguarded net.

Despite this Sports continued to give the ball away too often and with the midfield all playing as strikers Sherwood took advantage of the space and scored 2 goals in quick succession to take the lead. 

Substitute Jason Harris came on to “run” at the Sherwood defence and inject some life into Sports sluggish start, Sports equaliser came from Billy Edwards with a curling cross, which took a wicked deflection to send it on route to goal from a tight angle. 2 -2 at half time and a further change took place as new signing Jack Moore came on to bolster the midfield. 

Finally Sports recognised that they needed to be at their best, Sports started to pass the ball around and hold their positions. With the midfield recognising they had defensive duty’s to do as well, Sports back four of Jak Craig, Jordan Burch, Howard Howells and Josh Burton remained untroubled, taking the time to pass their way out of defence and a flowing move from Billy Edwards, Thomas Scarbro, Josh Leatherland and finally Clayton George who then forced his way through the Sherwood defence to score his first, Sports take the advantage again 3 – 2. 

Right back Jak Craig pushed forward at every opportunity and with a well-placed pass set Jason Harris on route for goal but he dragged his shot wide but the heavy ground slowed the ball for Josh Leatherland to slot home his second and stretch the lead to 4 – 2. 

As the heavy pitch took its toll on the players both teams tired but Danny Stenson kept battling to the end and after a superb through ball by Nikki Robinson who had replaced injured Jak Craig, Danny Stenson split Sherwood’s defence and Clayton George coolly slotted home number 5. 

The only question remaining was whether Josh or Clayton would complete their hat trick but despite the pressure Sherwood hung on. 

Credit should go to Sherwood and their outstanding number 7 (who was denied from 35 yards out by Buster Simpson) but the team effort in the second half gave Sports a comfortable victory. The lads now know they have to battle as the squad improves and the pressure is now on to perform every week to the standard shown in the second half. 

Man of the match went to Clayton George for his tireless performance and two well-taken goals.