Notts to be as Hunts let it slip

Midland Counties U18 Championship Hunts 1 Notts 1 BOTH sides came into this match undefeated, with identical goal differences and hoping to finish top of the table. However, this was Nottinghamshire s final match and they knew that if they failed to win t

Midland Counties

U18 Championship

Hunts 1 Notts 1

BOTH sides came into this match undefeated, with identical goal differences and hoping to finish top of the table.

However, this was Nottinghamshire's final match and they knew that if they failed to win their chances of finishing on top of the pile would be very slim.

Both teams played better against the wind but in the last 10 minutes Hunts should have clinched victory as they created the better chances and shaded possession.

Hunts manager Adie Corney conceded a draw was a fair result but said his side had created the better chances and could have sneaked a win.

With the wind behind them the visitors made a positive start and Hisham Mahjouri brought a good save from Jerome Chambers.

At the other end, Jamie Osborne just failed to reach a Jon Hall cross before Hunts took the lead on 21 minutes when Hall's shot was parried and brother James squared for Robert Devoy to give his side the lead.

Within 90 seconds of the restart, Daniel Hopley in the visiting goal produced the save of the match, turning a low shot by Osborne around his near post for a corner.

A blockbusting left-foot volley by Jon Hall then looked a certain goal but it hit Osborne on the line and was scrambled clear.

On the hour, Chambers failed to gather a Westcarr shot and, as the ball rolled goalwards, James Curran's desperate attempt to clear struck Connor Hardy and rebounded into the net to level the scores.

From that point Hunts had the better of the exchanges and they could have won with one of three free headers from set pieces but all flew over the crossbar.

* Hunts finish their season at home to Worcestershire on March 30 knowing a win will make them group champions.