Clifton All Whites 2 Hucknall Sports U12's Red 4 (a.e.t)

Saturday 7th March 2009

 NOTTS FA U12 SHIELD SEMI-FINAL TIE

With the sun trying to creep out, Clifton kick off and get this semi-final tie underway. With both clubs at the top of their division, hopes of an exciting tie was soon realised, this match had all the ingredients of a final.  

Sports were quickly on the attack and an early chance by Oliver Davidson-Turner, as he raced through Clifton ’s defence, he fired towards goal, only to see the keeper parry the ball away for a corner. Sports pressure paid dividends midway though this first half. Sports were awarded a free kick twenty five yards out. Mark Shelton stepped up, his accurate shot could only be pushed down by the keeper, and Curtis Edwards hit the ball into the net to put Sports in front.  

Clifton looked for an equaliser with their lively forwards always looking menacing, but the Sports back four of Sam Farn, Kieran Duncan, Ben Clarke and Joe Worrall kept them at bay. It was end to end stuff and when Sports counter attacked they too looked dangerous. A long ball forward from the back four looked easy enough to clear for the Clifton keeper, but he missed timed his kick and the eager Edwards followed up slotting the ball home from an acute angle, to give Sports a 2-0 lead at the interval.  

Clifton came out hoping to get back in this game. They lifted their game and were rewarded with two goals in this second half to level the tie. The match went into extra time; could Sports reproduce their first half form to take this tie?  

Ten minutes each way to try and settle this game. An early attack by Clifton earns them a corner, but Kieran Sheppard in goal gets the ball away. At the other end Macauley Walker races through but his shot goes wide. Still all square at the end of this first half. Ten minutes left to settle this tie. Sports on the attack from the kick off, Walker chases a ball and his persistence wins a corner. A perfect cross from Shelton and Kieran Davis rises above the rest to head the ball home.  

2-1 and Clifton kick off, they have chances to equalise but good defending and goalkeeping keep them out. With minutes left Sports seal this tie, a free kick from Farn finds Walker , he turns on a sixpence and fires past the outstretched keeper. A good advert for this semi-final, both teams providing an entertaining game, but Sports go on to the final. Sam Farn was awarded the “Man of the Match” trophy, but every player played his part.  

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