Rolls Royce 1 Hucknall Sports U9's Sunday 2

Sunday 27th November 2005

It was a shame that two so highly talented local teams had to face one another so early in the competition and It was Hucknall Sports who eventually emerged victorious after an utterly absorbing cup-tie.

Sports created the first real chance on goal after a full five minutes of midfield sparring. Jack-Henry Williams launched an enormous long throw into the danger zone, but Kieran Sheppard couldn’t prevent his first time shot from rising over the bar. Rolls did well to win a corner, when a probing through-ball was turned behind by the ever-vigilant Asa Shelton in the Sports defence. Carter Newton looked to have judged the cross to perfection, but as he went to pull the ball into his body it somehow squirmed loose straight to the trusty boot of Ryan Williams, who tucked it away nicely to give Rolls the lead. Sports were back on level terms before half time though. The referee had no alternative other than to award a free kick, after a blatant push just outside the area. Jack-Henry looked odds on to attempt a long shot into the top corner, which is why Rolls took the time to position a three man wall. But everybody was caught off guard as Kieran Sheppard collected a deliberate pass, that he controlled before back heeling into the path of Conner Gilbey for a superbly worked equalising goal.

In an action packed second half both teams pushed relentlessly in pursuit of a second goal. But strong disciplined defending and two evenly matched midfields meant that actual shots on goal were limited. Rolls looked to have secured the lead for a second time with a stunning drive from distance. But Carter Newton showed why he’s known as The Cat as he dived full length to fingertip the ball around the post to rapturous applause. Then bizarrely the very next attack produced an identical shot and save at the opposite end of the pitch. With extra time looking increasingly likely, Jack-Henry Williams collected the ball in midfield for Sports and sprayed it wide left to Kieran Sheppard. His long looping shot looked to have been saved at first but the unlucky keeper couldn’t control the wicked spin, and was left helpless to prevent the ball from crossing the line for the cruelest of goals. Although Rolls tried frantically to equalise in the short time left, Man of the match Carter in the Sports goal was not about to slip up again leaving Sports to march on to round two.