Hucknall Sports U9's Sunday 5 Cotgrave Colts Blue 0

Sunday 2nd October 2005

The Under 9's continued where they left off from the previous week. Scoring after only 39 seconds, when Jack Henry Williams aimed a quick throw-in towards lone striker Josh Pickering who shimmied effortlessly past his marker before picking his spot in the far corner. Kieran Sheppard signalled his intentions when his sublime curling shot from way outside the area struck the corner of bar and post before going out of play. Sports then had a spell of defending to do as Cotgrave realised that unless they scored soon the game would be beyond them. Sports weathered the storm well and fuelled by the confidence their defensive unit of Thomas Howarth, Asa Shelton and Carter Newton all inspire, the midfield began to push forward again. Kieran Sheppard scored with a textbook finish, after Josh Pickering had robbed a Cotgrave defender of the ball. Directly from the restart the same player scored with an identical shot. This time the killer pass being supplied by Emilio Monaci who was simply dominating the right flank for Sports. Within minutes Emilio was again crossing from the right, this time allowing Josh a shot on goal. But when the ball struck the bar it was Kieran who reacted fastest tapping in from a couple of yards for his hat-trick.

 
     A score at four nil in Sports favour, meant Cotgrave were forced into tightening up their defence for the second half. With more bodies behind the ball Sports were finding it increasingly difficult to create clear-cut chances. Their first real strike on goal came when Josh was fouled from behind in the area and the referee was given no alternative but to award a penalty. Up stepped Jack Henry to hammer the ball for the top corner, giving the visiting keeper no chance. But fortunately for him he didn't need to dive as the ball cannoned back off the angle. Just when it looked certain the stalemate wouldn't be broken and the score would remain 4-0 up popped Rocket Ronnie the fry-up king. He intercepted the ball in the middle of midfield and burst through two challenges before lashing the ball home from the edge of the box. The man of the match award went to Emilio Monaci for his first half efforts.