Toton FC 0 Hucknall Sports U9's Saturday 1

Saturday 10th December 2005

A well-contested cup-tie sees Sports triumphant and through to the last eight of the YEL Cup. 

This match was a pure joy to watch for all concerned, Toton had the better opening five minutes but with the defensive partnership of Liam Kilcullen and Daniel Crump protecting their goal like a Lioness protecting her cub they failed to make any clear cut chances. After coping with the early pressure it was Sports who started to turn on the style with the midfield trio of Daniel Long, Stephen Whitley and eventual man of the match Joe Walker playing some fantastic flowing football which caused Toton all kinds of problems, but were unable to find the target. Toton are a well organised side and capable of playing some good football themselves and made Sports work hard for everything but the break should have come after Sports won a corner which Kilcullen floated into the box and a Toton defender clearly handled giving the referee no choice but to award a penalty. Long stepped up to take the penalty and struck it well only to be denied by an outstanding save by the Toton Keeper. Although the half finished goalless it had been an excellent display of junior football and a real crowd pleaser. 

Sports started strongly after the break and forced a corner early on which Skipper Kilcullen, who was regimenting his troops all day and leaving them in no doubt what he wanted and where he wanted them to be, again delivered an excellent corner which Toton failed to clear and the ball fell to Walker who fired home uncharacteristically with his left peg. The match continued to be a really entertaining game with both sides playing their part, Toton gave it their all in pursuit of the equaliser but Sports were in no mood to give this match up and it was they who came closest to scoring again but the game finished one- nil to Sports. 

Sports gave it their all in this match and produced the kind of football that was beyond their years, each and every player could have laid claim to this weeks man of the match as it was a true display of teamwork.