West Hallam Wizards 0  Hucknall Sports U9's Sunday 3

Sunday 16th October 2005

This was a real battle of the big guns, as the under nines took on West Hallam Wizards. 

Both teams were sitting joint top having won all their previous matches. Neither side looked like conceding ground without first putting up one hell of a fight. The quality of both teams was evident throughout the game, even though it was played at a breathtaking pace. Sports got off to the best possible start, when Kieran Sheppard guided the ball left footed into the corner from the edge of the area, to give Sports an early lead. The Wizards tried to hit back immediately and with the slope in their favour, they did manage to create one or two half chances of their own. But, with the no nonsense defending of Thomas Howarth and Asa Shelton, Sports are proving to be a difficult side to break down this season. It was Sports who created the more clear cut openings, with Josh Pickering going close to scoring twice. Firstly forcing a good stop from the keeper and secondly heading just over the bar from a corner.

 

The second half got under way and it was Sports putting on the display of footballing magic. Kieran Sheppard fired one just over, after a brilliant length of the pitch run by Emilio Monaci. The pressure was too much and the second goal followed moments later. Josh Pickering was the player in the right place at the right time, scoring from eight yards out to make it 2-0 to Sports. The packed touch-line had barely regained composure before the home side had somehow managed to break through the Sports rearguard leaving just the keeper to beat. "Carter the Cat" thrives on one on ones though and he was out in an instant to gather the ball in. There was a break in the action just long enough for Conner Gilbey to replace Emilio Monaci who had simply run his socks off for the cause. Jack Henry Williams hit one of his specials from long range, but the keeper looked to have it covered. However up popped Josh to bravely chest the ball into the opposite corner, leaving the keeper stranded and giving the rampant Sports a commanding 3-0 victory over their nearest rivals. Asa Shelton was rightly awarded the man of the match trophy, for his inspirational defensive contribution in a game that will go some  way to deciding the eventual outcome of the league.