Sherwood FC 1 Hucknall Sports U9's Sunday 5

Sunday 12th February 2006

These two teams could not be further apart in their league placing. From the thirteen games played to date, Sports are yet to drop a point and Sherwood are still searching for their first win, with only one league point thus far.

However in true San Marino style it was Sherwood who romped into an early lead. Nick Padran-Skalisz latched onto a long clearance for the home team and sensing that this may be his one good chance of the game he struck it hard and low giving stand in keeper Aaron Bond no chance. Sports prefer to stretch their opponents by using both wings to full effect, but this was proving difficult on a wet surface and an unusually narrow pitch. To make matters worse Sherwood were now protecting their shock early lead by positioning all seven players behind the ball whenever Sports were in possession, this being about 95% of the first half. Charlie Barber was having the game of his life in the Sherwood goal, but he was finally outwitted by Josh Pickering who nipped in and finished from close range after good approach play by Asa Shelton and Kieran Sheppard on the left for Sports. With a shot count of 40-1 in Sports favour the scores were still level at the break. 

The second half was more of the same as Sports peppered the Sherwood goal with long shots, close shots, poor shots and good shots all were either saved or blocked. Until an unstoppable missile was launched from the left foot of Sport's very own "Psycho" Asa Shelton from fully 15 yards out to fire Sports into the lead for the first time in the game. With the home side now needing to commit men forward, Sports went all out for more goals in the remaining 15 minutes. Emilio Monaci netted from close range on his return from holiday and a stunning brace from Captain Marvel Kieran Sheppard was only beaten for entertainment value by the mesmerising display of break-dancing on mud from Manager Dad Brian Sheppard. McCauley Walker was unlucky not to score with his all action second half display, but it was enough to warrant the man of the match award.