Hucknall travel to Wisbech in search of elusive away victory

 WISBECH TOWN V HUCKNALL TOWN

UCL PREMIER NORTH SAT 20TH JANUARY 2024 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall travel to unknown territory for a first visit to Wisbech Town in search of a first away league victory this season and a much needed three point return. 

Wisbech were the visitors to the RM on the opening day of the season when despite the loss of key players during the summer optimism was very high and a bumper crowd of 688 thanks mainly to it being part of the UCL ground hop weekend saw the Yellows scrape a point from a game that the visitors should have put to bed.

Little did we know then that 21 games later Wisbech would be one of only five  teams that Hucknall would gain any points from.

Wisbech themselves whilst not struggling haven't had a great campaign in terms of challenging for the top spots. Their league record reads:

Played Played 21 winning 6 drawing 4 and losing 11 with a GD of 0 to lie in 10th position.

Wins have come against Pinchbeck (home 3 1), Belper United (home 5 0). Sleaford Town (home 6 1), Boston Town (home 3 1), Belper United (away 0 3) and Heanor Town (home 4 2)

Draws have come against ourselves (away 1 1), AFC Mansfield (away 3 3), Kimberley MWFC (home 1 1) and Deeping Rangers (home 1 1)

Defeats have come against Ashby Ivanoe (home 0 2), Boston Town (away 1 3), Skegness Town (away 0 1), Sherwood Colliery (home 0 3), Lincoln United (away 0 2) , Melton Town (away 1 2), Loughborough Students (away 0 1), Sleaford Town (away 0 1), Lincoln United (home 1 5), Pinchbeck (away 1 2) and AFC Mansfield (home 3 4)

In the Cups:

FA Cup: Beat March Town (home 3 1). Lost to Biggleswade Town (home 1 5)

FA Vase: Beat Godmanchester Rovers (away 3 0), Whitton United (home 7 2), Lost on Pens to Tividale after drawing 2 2 at home.

League Knockout Cup: lost to Kimberley MWFC (away 0 4)

Cambridge Invitational Cup: beat West Wratting (home 2 0) next round v Cambridge university Press. Home)

Hucknall remain rock bottom 5 still 5 points behind second bottom Pinchbeck with a game in hand and being realistic that is the only team in range now. 

I understand Joe Ashurst is unavailable for this as his partner is expecting the birth of their baby this weekend and I wish them well in this.

A new player has signed in the form of right back Abdul Saad who has previous with Notts County and Radford. I welcome him to the RM.

I have not been informed of any departures from the club in the past week .

Safe journey to everyone travelling. I'm sitting this one out as it is my grandaughters birthday party. That in itself bodes well for us picking up three valuable points.

Useful Links:

Address: Fountain Fresh Park 380 Lynn Rd, Wisbech PE14 7AL

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wisbechtownfc?lang=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wtfcnews/?locale=en_GB

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisbech_Town_F.C.

Weather Forecast: Sunny Intervals and fresh breeze. 5 degrees centigrade at 3 pm

Games Running Out For Yellows

 HUCKNALL TOWN V DEEPING RANGERS

UCL PREMIER NORTH 

SATURDAY 13TH JANUARY 2024 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall's need to start winning games in a bid to avoid finishing bottom has now become desperate with the gap between themselves and Pinchbeck 5 points with only the one game in hand on the second bottom team.

With only a single win and 4 draws in 20 games Town just have 14 games in which to mount a survival charge.

Last weeks performance at play off chasing Skegness again deserved a reward but again was thwarted by a late goal.

Deeping Rangers visit the RM Stadium tomorrow having inflicted a 6 nil defeat on the Yellows back in September.

Rangers will be looking to win this fixture to boost their own play off hopes having suffered a recent slump in form in their last 3 fixtures losing 3 1 at home to Pinchbeck and also drawing away at struggling Wisbech. The poor form continued with a home defeat inflicted by Boston last Saturday.

 Ranger's league record reads

Played 20 winning 7 drawing 7 and losing 6 with a GD of plus 13 to lie in 8th spot.

Home wins have come against Kimberley MW, ourselves, AFC Mansfield, 

Away wins have come against Pinchbeck, AFC Mansfield, Sleaford Town, and Kimberley MW.

Draws have come against Heanor town, Boston Town, Eastwood CFC, Skegness Town, Newark and Sherwood, Wisbech.

Defeats have come against Sherwood away, Melton town home, Loughborough Students away, Belper United away, Pinchbeck home and Boston Town home.

In the Cup Competitios:

FA Cup lost to Ashby Ivanhoe at home

FA Vase lost to Loughborough Students home

League cup lost to Coventry United home 

County Cup lost on penalties to Barton Town home

Hucknall will be looking to capitalise on Ranger's recent poor form whilst the visitors will be looking to get back on track.

An interesting game awaits.

Hucknall have signed a new striker Nick Swan but Louis Czerwak has left for Belper United and I wish him well at his new club.

will the Yellows like to be beside the seaside

 SKEGNESS TOWN V HUCKNALL TOWN

UCL PREMIER NORTH

SATURDAY JANUARY 6TH 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall make the long trip to Skegness in desperate need of points to aid their cause to avoid relegation. The Yellows are now 5 points adrift at the bottom of the table with just 7 points from 19 games they have played. Pinchbeck lie in the place above Town and have had a recent upturn in form but have played 2 games more.

Once again Hucknall travel to a team occupying the play off spots in 5th placed Skegness and lost to our hosts tomorrow by 2 goals to nil at the RM back in September when 2 early goals secured the win in a lack lustre display from the Yellows'

Skegness's league record reads

Played 20 winning 11 drawing 4 and losing 5 with a GD of plus 12

Wins at home have come against Pinchbeck (3 0), Wisbech (1 0), Melton Town (2 0), Ashby Ivanhoe (2 1), Newark and Sherwood (2 1) and Sleaford (1 0)

Wins away have come against ourselves (0 2), AFC Mansfield (2 5), Kimberley MW (0 2), Pinchbeck (0 3) and Newark and Sherwood ( 1 3).

Draws have come against Loughborough Students (Home 1 1), Deeping Rangers (Away 0 0), Eastwood (Home 2 2) and Deeping Rangers (home 0 0 ).

Defeats have come against Sherwood (Home 1 3), Sleaford Town (away 0 2), Heanor Town (Away 2 3 ) and Lincoln United (away 0 3).

Three of those defeats came in their first 3 league games so they have lost only once since to title chasing Lincoln United away.

This shows the daunting task facing the Yellows tomorrow.

In the cups Skegness's record reads

The FA Cup Defeated AFC Mansfield away after a 0 0 draw at the Vertigo Stadium. Bowed out in the next round losing 2 1 at Sheffield FC.

The FA Vase. Beat Saffron Dynamo 2 1 away, Bowed out losing 2 1 at home to Lutterworth Athletic.

The League Knockout Cup. Beat Blackstones 1 nil away, Beat Radford 1 nil at home, Beat Aylestone park 2 1 at home, Face Racing Club Warwick in the next round at home.

Lincolnshire Senior Trophy. Beat Brigg Town 4 nil away, Beat Bottesford Town 22 1 Away, Have Boston Town away in the next round.

This represents a very difficult task for Hucknall but the Yellows really need to start picking up points with only 15 games to go.

Missing this one but safe travels to all the Hucknall contingent travelling and good luck.

Useful Info

Address: Vertigo Stadium

Wainfleet Road

Skegness

Lincolnshire

PE25 2EL

Twitter: https://twitter.com/skegnesstownfc

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skegness_Town_A.F.C.

weather forecast: cloudy with a chance of light rain at times

2023 Hucknall Towns High's and Lows

 Yellows Elation and Deflation

The start of the year saw the yellows involved in a 5 from 6 team competition for the title and the four play off spots. The teams being Aylestone Park, Birstall United, Bourne Town, Newark and Radford.

Hucknall had 4 successive home games winning 3 and drawing one but ended the month with a single goal defeat at Birstall.

February saw the Yellows play 7 times in the league and it was pretty much a mixed bag of results. The Yellows started the month with a 3 nil away win away at Kirby Muxloe but then lost at home to play off rivals Newark Town by the same score.

A 6 nil win at home to bottom club Grantham got the Yellows back on track but in a league where even draws cost you vital points a nil nil draw at home to Rainworth and a 1 1 draw away at Blackstones cast doubt on the Yellows play off hopes as everyone else in the mix were winning. A fine 5 1 away success at previous bogey side Gedling was followed by a very bitter 3 2 defeat away at Champions Elect Aylestone despite a battling display from the Yellows.

March saw the Yellows playing 5 times starting with a 2 nil home success over Saffron Dynamo who also had become a bit of a bogey side and indeed beat the Yellows earlier on in the season on their own patch. The second game of the month saw another home game against Blackstones which was midweek and a rearranged game for what should have been the first game at the RM.. The race for the play off spots was a tight affair and with the Yellows trailing to a single goal going into added on time it looked like a loss of 3 vital points was on the cards. However Hucknall managed to get an equaliser and with a draw being no good to the visitors they pushed forward allowing Hucknall to break quickly and getting a free kick on the edge of the visitors area. The free kick struck the bar but Captain Short headed the rebound in sparking unbelievable scenes of jubilation with players and supporters all joining in. In my opinion that was the RM's first real memory made and I am convinced that game had a big influence on what was to follow. It also ended Blackstones late effort of upsetting the play off party. A Grantham away victory followed where the Yellows just did enough against the bottom side. The month ended with a 3 1 victory at home to Holwell Sports and a disappointing draw at home to Southwell.

April saw the last 3 games of the League campaign and Hucknall's play off hopes had been boosted by Radford having 3 points deducted. . A home win over Clifton and an away victory at another bogey side Dunkirk confirmed Yellow's place in the play offs for a second successive season. They ended regular season with a disappointing loss at Barrow town by the only goal of the game.

This left the Yellows in 4th spot and meant a difficult looking play off game away at Bourne Town though the Yellows had won there in the league campaign. A huge crowd of 893 with a good following of Yellows supporters saw Hucknall take the lead through leading scorer Craig Westcarr only for Zac Munton to equalise for the hosts. The second half was tense as was the period of extra time but the game went to a penalty shoot out. . This was when Hucknall's keeper Louis Kinnerley stepped up to the plate and with some fine saves and some great penalties by the Hucknall lads the Yellows progressed to the play off final where they would have to travel to runners up in the league Birstall United, who had defeated Newark Town.

Another big crowd of 850 saw another very tense affair saw Kieran Knight score from close range on 54 minutes only for Birstall's captain and talisman striker equalise 2 minutes later. Again after a tense match the game went to penalties. Again Hucknall scored all of their penalties and Kinnerley was again the hero as against all odds Hucknall gained promotion to the UCL Premier division North. Manager and assistant Andy Ingle and Michael Banister deserve huge credit for that achievement. 

With fans anticipating step 5 football for the first time in a few years Ingle and Banister had the task of trying to assemble a squad good enough to compete at the higher level. It must have come as a big disappointment to them as it did the supporters to lose the spine of the promotion winning team to another local side Sherwood Colliery. The 50 goal strike force of Westcarr and Knight departed to Debdale lane as did goalkeeper Kinnerley and fans player of the season Louis Tomlinson.

There is absolutely no doubt that these departures had a massive bearing on how Hucknall started the league and have consequently struggled since. 

The season started with a hard fought draw at home to Wisbech in a game that showed the Yellows faithful the gulf in standard from division 1. That turned out to be the only point Hucknall would get until their first and only victory so far in the league at home to Ashby Ivanhoe on the 20th of September. Included in that run of defeats was a home game against bottom side Pinchbeck United, a game that most Hucknall followers expected the Yellows to win. Instead Hucknall's hopes were left in tatters as they suffered a 5 nil hammering which contributed to the downfall of the management team. Banister stepped down from his role a week later (Sept 8th) after the Yellows had suffered a 7 2 cup defeat at division 1 Newark Town. Manager Andy Ingle Stepped down a week later ironically after a rare Hucknall victory at Southwell City in the Notts Senior Cup. This left club Secretary Phil Henry in caretaker charge as the club sought a new management team.

It didn't start well with a 6 nil away defeat at Deeping Rangers but Henry was at the helm when Hucknall secured that only league victory so far. Indeed this coincided with an upturn in Hucknall's fortunes. Hucknall drew their next league game at Newark and Sherwood before the new management team of Louis Bland and Reece Limbert took the reins on October 2nd. Two more home draws and encouraging displays followed against Loughborough Students and AFC Mansfield before a disappointing exit from the Notts Senior Cup at home to local rivals Radford.

Then followed four successive games against top 4 sides in Sherwood Colliery, Melton Town and Lincoln United both home and Away. Despite encouraging performances from the Yellows no points were gained from these fixtures. Also during this period changes in the playing staff saw comings and goings to the extent that only 3 players remain that were part of the promotion winning squad 4 if you count the long term injured Aaron Lamb. Technically you could also count Callum Orange and Trev Lindo though they were bit part players at the time.

Bland and Limbert had brought in a lot of players and were beginning to make things happen so it was a shock to everyone at the club when Bland left the club for an opportunity at Grantham Town which was to good to turn down and I really do wish him well in that role.

Bland's departure followed the 2 1 home defeat to Lincoln United where the Yellows were very unfortunate not to get something from the game.

This left plenty of optimism for the upcoming games against fellow strugglers AFC Mansfield away and Kimberley MWFC at home on Boxing day. This was all to no avail as a poor performance at Mansfield resulted in a 2 nil defeat and despite an improved display at the RM Kimberley ran out winners with the only goal.

The year closed with the Yellows soundly beaten 4 1 at Loughborough Students. This coupled with the improving results of Pinchbeck leaves the Yellows rock bottom on just 7 points from 19 games played 5 points behind second bottom Pinchbeck who have played 21.

This leaves 15 games for Hucknall to try and maintain their step 5 standing. I still think this team needs to gel and is capable of victories but it needs to start happening and happening soon. 

As supporters we need to back the team and get behind the lads. I think we have largely done that for the vast majority of the season but I am beginning to sense an air of discontent and there is only one way to make that stop.

Happy New Year to all 

Big Game For Yellows This Saturday

 AFC MANSFIELD v HUCKNALL TOWN

UCL PREMIER NORTH SAT 23RD DECEMBER 2023 3PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

After playing teams in the top four for the last four matches Hucknall visit the Forest Town Arena in search of a first away league victory of the season. This is a return of the league game played at the RM Stadium where a late equaliser from the visitors denied the Yellows a second home win of the season.

Having suffered a similar last gasp goal at home against title chasing Lincoln United which denied the Yellows a share of the spoils Hucknall will be looking to close the 5 point gap on third from bottom Newark and Sherwood and the hosts tomorrow who are currently 13th in the table 9 points ahead but having played 2 games more.

The 'Bulls' league record reads 

Played 18 winning 4 drawing 4 and losing 10 with a GD of minus 15

Wins have come against Loughborough Students (away 19.08.23 1 2), Pinchbeck United (home 30.09.23 8 0), Boston Town (away 07.10.23 1 2) and last weekend Heanor Town (away 0 1)

Draws have come against Newark and Sherwood (away 28.08.23 1 1), Wisbech Town (home 16.09.23 3 3), Belper (home 18.11.23 1 1) and at the RM 2 2 on the 14th of October.

The interesting data from that is only 5 points have been earned at home despite some pretty impressive results away.

The FA Cup reflected the same after a creditable draw at Skegness Town they lost the replay at home.

The Fa Vase saw Mansfield also win away albeit on penalties at Div 1 Leicester ST Andrews before losing at home to Kimberley MW in the next round.

The League Knockout cup again saw them lose at home to Ashby Ivanhoe (0 6)

The Notts Senior cup saw them bow out at Div 1 high flyers Clipstone 4 1.

Hucknall's league record now reads

Played 16 winning 1 drawing 4 and losing 11 to remain second bottom a point ahead of Pinchbeck who have played 2 games more.

Although Hucknall have lost the last 4 league games the performances have improved under the leadersship of Louis Bland and Reece Limbert. 

So it has been a blow to receive the news that Louis had an offer to become the first team head coach at Grantham Town of the NPL division 1 east. It was too good an opportunity to turn down and we wish Louis well at his new club and thank him for his brief spell at the RM.

Hopefully Reece Limbert and Coach Chris Galley can keep the improvement going and whilst the fans have been fantastic in backing the team in those 4 games most see tomorrow as a must win game if we are serious in closing the gap above us.

Billy Brooks has now officially left the club and joined recently departed Sam Sims at West Bridgford. We wish Billy well for the future and thank him for his efforts during his time at the RM.

Goalkeeper Alfie Smith-Eccles is unavailable tomorrow for family reasons so the club has moved quickly in bringing in Zac Biggs and have also signed midfielder Will Bailey from Radford. We welcome them both to the RM.

Safe travels to all attending the game tomorrow and lets get behind the lads.

useful information

Address: Clipstone Rd W, Forest Town, Mansfield NG19 0EE

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AFCMansfield?locale=en_GB

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AFCMansfield

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.F.C._Mansfield

Weather Forecast: cloudy, windy and sunny intervals 

Another Tough Ask For Yellows

 HUCKNALL TOWN V LINCOLN UNITED

UCL PREMIER NORTH 

SAT 16TH DECEMBER 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall play in a league game at the RM Stadium for the first time since the 14th October. Since then the Yellows have played the top three all away from home and despite competing well in all of those games have no points reward from any of them. All the other scheduled games have fallen victim to the horrendous weather we have suffered.

The task doesn't get any easier today with one of the top three visiting today and in my humble opinion the best team we have faced this season. Lincoln United were a big strong well organised side when we visited Ashby Avenue and despite a good showing from the Yellows on the day The whites ran out deserved winners.

With Sherwood's unbeaten record falling at Loughborough Students it has opened the door for Lincoln to take over top spot by winning the games they have in hand. The 2 teams were scheduled to meet last Wednesday night but fell victim to the weather. 

Since beating the Yellows Lincoln have had 2 away league victories at Belper (1 0) and Kimberley (0 2) and have also progressed in the FA vase beating Congleton Town 2 1 at home. They also progressed in the Lincolnshire Senior Trophy beating Barton Town on pens after a 2 2 draw.

Scoring a goal will be quite an accomplishment for Hucknall as the visitors have gone 7 league games without conceding a goal.

Hucknall still remain second bottom a point ahead of Pinchbeck with 2 games in hand but there is now a 5 point gap to Newark and Sherwood the team directly above who have played the same number of games.

Since our last game Sam Sims has decided to move on to pastures new (West Bridgford). I'd personally like to thank Sam for his efforts in the Yellow and Black over the last few seasons and wish him the very best at his new club.

I also understand that Nathan Kelly has also left the club but haven't seen an official announcement on that. If it is the case I also want to wish NK well for the future.

Remarkably this leaves just 3 players left from the promotion winning team. Jamie Crawford, Joey Ashurst and Aaron Short.

The new management team have brought in new players but because of the weather have yet to really make their mark. Lets hope today is the day and that we can get an unlikely reward from todays game.

Donations are being taken today for the Hucknall Food Bank so please bring what you can.

Old Foes Lincoln present the next big test for the Yellows

 LINCOLN UNITED V HUCKNALL TOWN

UCL PREMIER NORTH 

SATURDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Following on from last weeks narrow defeat at Melton Town which put the hosts up to second in the table things get no easier for the Yellows as an arguably more difficult trip to Lincoln United awaits tomorrow. 

As the table stands at the moment Lincoln seem to be the main threat to current unbeaten leaders Sherwood Colliery (who Hucknall face away next weekend).

Lying third in the league Lincoln have 2 games in hand over the leaders with an 8 point gap between the 2 and 3 games in hand on the rest of the teams in the top 5  3 points behind Melton.

Lincolns League record so far reads

played 11 winning 9 and losing 2 with a GD of plus 20

The 2 defeats came against Sherwood (away 0 2) and Eastwood (away 1 2)

Since that defeat on the 30th Sept Lincoln have won 9 games on the bounce in all competitions scoring 41 goals and conceding only 3 goals including not conceding in the last 4 games.

That is the massive task awaiting the Yellows tomorrow.

League wins have come against Kimberley MW (Home 1 0), Melton Town (away 2 0), Boston Town (Home 3 1), Ashby Ivanhoe (away 2 1), Loughborough Students (home 2 1), Wisbech Town (home 2 0), Sleaford Town (away 7 0), Pinchbeck United (home 4 0) and Skegness Town (home 3 0)

In the cups

FA Cup Lincoln defeated Lutterworth Town (away 3 0), Bottesford Town (away 4 0) Kidgsrove Athletic (of the Northern Premier League Home 2 0) before bowing out at home to Worksop Town (0 2). A very impressive run for a step 5 team.

In the FA Vase Lincoln have beaten Newark Town 7 6 on penalties after a 1 1 draw, Bugbrooke St Michaels (home 4 0) and Heanor Town (home 6 0) to remain in the competition and face Congleton Town at home in the Third Round.

In the League Knockout Cup Lincoln have beaten Pinchbeck United 3 1 on penalties after a 1 1 draw, Newark Town (home 4 1), Coventry United (home 9 0) to face Sherwood Colliery away in the quarter finals.

In the Lincolnshire Senior Cup Lincoln have beaten Louth town (home 2 0)their only game so far this season.

Hucknall go into the game still second bottom and still without an away league success this season with a record of 

played 13 winning 1 drawing 4 and losing 8 with a GD of minus 24

This leaves them a point ahead of bottom side Pinchbeck with 2 games in hand and a much better GD.

They will be encouraged by the performance at Melton last week where the first half performance was arguably their best half of the season so far. A forced change at half time saw them play more direct and not have the edge they had first half. There was a good response to the home side taking the lead but it wasn't to be.

If we show the same desire tomorrow then we have a chance but it would be a huge shock if Hucknall came away with the three points.

Safe travels to all going tomorrow

useful links: 

Address: Ashby Avenue, Lincoln, LN6 0DY

twitter (X): https://twitter.com/LincolnUnited

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lincoln-United-FC/109535012407098?locale=en_GB

wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_United_F.C.

weather forecast: sunny intervals at ko time