Radcliffe Olympic 4 Hucknall Sports U12's Saturday 6

Saturday 22nd April 2006

Sports Round of the Season in Style.

Sports rounded off their season in style as this re-arranged game ended in a six – four victory, but Sports made hard work of the game after a fine start. 

Kicking off down hill for the first half Sports started sluggishly with the 3 week break seeming to affect the players, and whilst Sports had chances to take the lead, the game was littered with some poor passing and a lack of urgency. Sports finally realised that the best form of attack was to get the ball to Josh Leatherland who had already shown he had the beating of the Radcliffe defence with his power and pace and after a fine passing move Josh coolly finished to put Sports one up. 

Whilst the midfield and strikers had woken up, Sports’ defence still appeared sluggish and sloppy play led to a deserved Radcliffe equaliser. Finally, Sports started playing and within the space of 3 minutes Josh Leatherland had clinically completed his hat-trick following excellent play by Billy Edwards and Danny Stenson to set him up for his second and then a powerful run and shot that crept in at the near post for his third. With the entire team now wide awake and recognising the importance of winning the last game of the season Sports continued to press forward with Jason Harris surging forward and Jack Moore involved in every attack. Some more neat passing this time involving Nicky Robinson and Jack Moore set Josh free once again and incredibly he notched up his fourth goal. With half time beckoning and a 4 – 1 lead Sports switched off and within two minutes Radcliffe had pulled the score line back to 4 -3 following some more nervous defending. 

A half time ‘chat’ to the lads was needed and with Sports now playing uphill on the steep pitch the game was there for Radcliffe to win, and credit to them too as a strong run and shot from midfield beat the flying Buster Simpson and rebounded off the post. With Sports defenders hesitating and deciding who should clear it the Radcliffe striker slotted the ball into an empty net to level the game. 

An injury to Jordan Burch did little for the managers and spectators confidence as he battled on in the centre of defence but with ten minutes left and everything to play for Sports took the lead as once again a shot from Josh beat the Radcliffe keeper. At last, Sports started to defend and with Thomas Scarbro playing out of position at right back a firm challenge and superb ball down the right set up another Sports attack. This time, Josh was denied by a superb save but as the ball rebounded out Jason Harris was there to wrap a victory with a tap into the empty net. 6 - 4 to Sports and with the defence now back on their game and Howard Howells and Josh Burton playing some composed football Sports held out for a deserved but slightly nervy victory. 

Despite the efforts of Jack Moore who was superb throughout, man of the match could only go to one person, as with 5 goals in one game and 28 for the season Josh Leatherland walked off with the man of the match trophy. 

There has been a superb turn-a-round with the team this season, and with a little more luck it could have been a comfortable mid table finish. The lads never give up and with the addition of a couple more squad players higher things beckon if they continue to develop.