The Cat is back
Bright sunshine and a strong
side-ways wind greeted the teams as they arrived at Newstead Recreational
Ground for this Division 2 match between Hucknall and high-flying
Ilkeston Juniors - a team 20 points ahead of Hucknall and 6 points
clear in the league. Sports had played well in the first meeting earlier in
the season and were unlucky to lose the game 3-1. But after a
resounding victory the previous week Hucknall took to the pitch determined
to show what they could do against the league leaders.
Injury to Sports midfielder Evans
meant that Davies took over the central midfield duties for this
game and along side Orton, Barlow and Diriso they commanded
the middle of the pitch by being first to the ball time and again. On the
few occasions that Ilkeston got sight of Hucknall's goal, the SAS defence of 'Saxton
and Smith' stood firm and backed up by a rejuvenated William
Brown, who rediscovered his goalkeeping form for this game, they
kept Ilkeston at bay. In a half where no team could create clear-cut chances
it was Hucknall striker Hallam who looked the most dangerous and his
series of long shots tested the Ilkeston goalkeeper.
Half-time arrived with the scores level 0-0.
A frustrated Ilkeston started the second half
desperately seeking a goal to set them on their way to victory but the
Hucknall midfield and defence refused budge an inch. A substitution by Whites
saw Bowley taking over the striking role and Hallam drop back into
midfield to give Davies a well earned breather. Ilkeston continued to lay
siege to the Hucknall goal but a clearance from Saxton found its way to BOWLEY
who calmly beat the last defender and slotted the ball under the advancing
Junior's keeper.
With 10 mins still to go Davies re-entered
the match to bolster the midfield one last time and as the clock ticked down Ilkeston
thought they had got their equaliser when a long range screamer looked set
for the top corner only for Whites keeper Brown to pull off a
miraculous save and effectively win the game for his team. When the final
whistle blew the players and fans of Hucknall erupted into mass
celebrations for this hard fought victory.
All nine players can take great credit from
the way they played today, but Man of the Match goes to Brown for
a great performance in goal - welcome back to the 'Cat'.
Some might think this was a shock result, but
those who have watched Hucknall's progress this season know how hard the
team have worked to improve and today they got their rewards. Well
done boys!