Rolls 3-0 down but win

The game looked out of sight at half-time when Rolls trailed 3-0. But after a crucial team-talk, they emerged with renewed spirit and determination to claw back the deficit.

When a shot from Eamon Loftus was too hot to handle, Tony Ellis rifled home the loose ball. And then Liam Kennedy made it 3-2 by heading in from close range.

Lowdham broke away to score their fourth but with every Rolls player giving everything in a magnificent performance, they forced extra-time.

First Ellis pounced on a loose ball and then Kennedy broke opposition hearts with the goal of the tie in the last five minutes – a 30-yard piledriver.

Two fine saves by goalkeeper Shane Henson kept Rolls in it in the extra period but just as a penalty shootout loomed, Aaron Gotheridge’s corner was met by Tom Cooper, who coolly slotted home a dramatic winner.

n TAKING on tabletopping Hyson Green, HUCKNALL WARRIORS UNDER-12S YELLOW sank to a 6-0 defeat in a tie decided by finishing.

While the home side took their chances, Warriors didn’t, even though they played better than the scoreline suggests, showing some good passing at times.

Stand-in goalkeeper Charlie Miller produced a fine performance and the back four of Sam Wells, Sam Stewart, Leyton Weatherall and Michael South all battled hard against physically stronger opponents.

Matt Brierley, Jordan Tovey and Mitch Cassidy also worked hard, as did man-of-the-match Joe Gill.

n DESPITE fielding a depleted team and no substitutes, HUCKNALL WARRIORS UNDER-12S RED outshone Beacon to win 3-1 and stride into the Fourth Round.

For the first time in recent weeks, Warriors took the lead when Jack Hutchby’s unstoppable shot from outside the area left the ’keeper with no chance.

Beacon hit back after indecision in the locals’ defence and they almost went in front when defender Lewis Nixon cleared off the line.

But a see-saw first half ended with Warriors making it 2-1 as Hutchby cut through the defence and released striker Liam Burley, who drove home.

The points were sealed in the second half when Regan Scott lobbed the ‘keeper, although goalkeeper Luke Cook still had to make several crucial stops and Tyler Stafford cleared another effort off the line.

n A TRIP to Arnold Town for the Third Round proved no sweat for HUCKNALL SPORTS UNDER-11S RED, who romped to an easy 8-0 win.

With the wizardry of Joe Harrison and Stephen Whitley causing havoc down the flanks, Sports were ahead from the ninth minute when a penalty, awarded for handball, was calmly tucked away by Harrison.

The second goal also came from the spot as Mark Shelton was bundled over and, this time, Reegan Morris sent the ‘keeper the wrong way.

As Sports sliced their way through the Arnold defence at will, it was 6-0 by the interval as Oliver Davidson-Turner converted a cross rom Whitley, Shelton scored after linking up with Ben Oscroft and Harrison struck twice to complete his hat-trick.

Despite making no fewer than five changes in the second period, Sports still dominated and added two more goals. Supersub Daniel Long neatly stroked home and flying wing-back Davidson-Turner, who was man-of-the-match, headed home a chip over the defence from Morris.

n FOR THE FOURTH week running, ROLLS-ROYCE LEISURE UNDER-10S BLUE came from behind – this time to shoot down West Bridgford Jets 3-2.

Rolls trailed 2-0 at half-time before defenders Charlie Mann and man-of-the-match Lewis Nixon tightened up their act.

Tom Smith pulled a goal back and when the ’keeper failed to hold a shot from Sam Atkin, Nathan Whiles was quickest to react to force the ball in to the bottom corner for an equaliser.

Alex Gilbert then went close before Whiles struck again for the winner, scoring direct from a free-kick.