HUCKNALL TOWN 2025 REVIEW
The year began following a defeat at rock bottom Kimberley MWFC on Boxing Day 2024. A disappointing performance which buoyed on a forlorn Kimberley into a quite remarkable resurgence. More to come on that later.
So the Yellow's went to Coronation Park for our first game of 2025 still anxiously looking over their shoulders and needing some victories to ensure they would be competing in this division come August. Tris and Aaron had been at the helm for about 6 weeks and despite a remarkable victory at eventual Champions Lincoln defeats at Boston and Deeping Rangers followed. A welcome win at home to Melton preceded the Kimberley defeat and we were still in a relegation battle.
A brace from our talisman striker "Big Nige" Towle and an Ethan Hulley strike saw the Yellows defeat our biggest rivals Eastwood despite ex Yellow Terry Hawkridge scoring for the Red Badgers.
A break from the league saw us play a Notts senior Cup tie at the RM against fierce rivals Sherwood who at the time were step 4. A win at Selston and a good win at Newark Town had brought us to this stage of the competition where hand on heart I thought it would end. However a blistering first half display and goals from Solace and Brad Lathall saw Hucknall home despite a goal for the visitors in the second half. Could this be our year?
Back to the league and confidence gained from these two results saw the Yellows produce a fine run of results.Wins at home against Wisbech and away at Ashby Ivanhoe were followed by a draw at Harrowby before another home victory this time over Gresley saw the Yellows put distance between themselves and the relegation zone.
A disappointing defeat at home to perennial bogey side Heanor Town still meant the Yellows had work to do.
Another visit to Coronation Park saw another victory this time over tenants Belper United and Hucknall were nearly safe.
Returning to the Notts Senior Cup saw a tie with one of Nottinghamshire's big local sides in Basford United. We couldn't could we?..........Again a superb first half performance saw two Bradley Wells' goals put the Yellows ahead at the break and they saw a second half out to produce a result that will live long in the memory of all Hucknall fans. It also installed a belief that we could go all the way and lift the cup.
Back to the league and a goalless draw at home to Skegness was followed by a superb performance at Melton Town where the Yellows scored six when it could easily have been double figures. It also made the Yellow's safe from any lingering relegation fears.
The rest of the season was pretty much immaterial apart from a certain Notts Senior Cup Final against Newark and Sherwood. Understandably performance levels dropped a little bit. A defeat at home to Newark Town was followed by a victory at home to Deeping Rangers. A last minute equaliser denied Yellows a victory at AFC Mansfield before victory at home to fellow senior cup finalists Newark and Sherwood followed though everyone there agreed the final would be a different proposition (no kidding).
A defeat at eventual play off winners Bourne Town and a last league game defeat at home to Kimberley which saw the visitors safe from relegation ended our league campaign which meant a comfortable 12th place finish.
All roads led to Field Mill and a quite remarkable match saws us triumph on penalties after a 6 6 draw. Our never say die attitude tested to it's limits.
The season's awards night saw "big Nige" scoop up most of the awards after an amazing season for the striker.
The new season began in disappointing fashion as we lost at home to newly promoted Blackstones despite dominating possession.
A good win at Belper United followed and a welcome FA Cup victory at home to Yaxley made amends for the opening day defeat.
A 3 2 defeat followed at Newark Town was followed by a home win against Gresley. We bowed out of the FA Cup away at Basford despite a good first half the home team scored in the second and we fell apart conceding 4 more to exit the competition.
The Yellows responded well defeating Boston Town at the RM in the FA Vase, drawing away at Grantham and winning at Melton Town to bring a busy August to a close. Lewis Belgrave earned the first Player of the Month award.
September began with the news that Niall Towle was out of action with a knee injury sustained in the FA Vase game against Boston. At the time it seemed innocuous but has resulted in our key player being ruled out for the season.
Results on the pitch didn't do much to lighten the situation as Sherwood demolished us at the RM and then further games against Boston saw them triumph at home in the Knock out cup and also win at the RM in the league. Further bad news followed when in the League Cup game Brad Lathall suffered his serious shoulder injury which has put him out of contention since. Hopefully a return is not to far away now.
A stoppage time equaliser gave Ashby Ivanhoe a share of the spoils at the RM. More disappointment followed at Lutterworth Town when another late strike saw the Yellows exit. Ex Yellows keeper Luke Jeffrey playing his part in thwarting the Yellow's attack.
Just when it looked like September was going to be a total loss a good performance away at Newark and Sherwood (at Harrowby FC) saw the Yellows win and this was followed by yet another great performance at local rivals Eastwood with goals from Joey and Solace seeing us victorious.
Brad Wells won the player of the Month award for September really stepping up to the mark in light of Big Nige's absence.
October started with our usual defeat to bogey side Heanor Town at the RM before two home victories over Deeping Rangers and AFC Mansfield. Kimberley then came back to haunt us at the RM once again returning home victorious.
The month ended with another victory at Harrowby this time against the landlords. Another good away performance.
Player of the Month for October was Cash Rowe with some sterling performances.
There was very little action in November. A defeat at home to Belper raised some concerns about our home form which hasn't been the greatest in the first half of this season. In contrast our away form was one of the best in the division and this continued with a draw at Skegness.
The weather then intervened and forced a 17 day break. Whether the break played a part or not our return to action wasn't to be covered in glory. Heavy defeats at Gresley and Sherwood ended the month and gave the management plenty to think about as we dropped out of play off contention.
Due to lack of matches there was no award for player of the month for November and that it would be joined with the December award.
December began with us bowing out of the Notts Senior Cup despite a very much improved performance. We were unable to hold on to a two goal lead and a stoppage time equaliser saw the game go to penalties which we eventually lost. No disgrace to lose to Nottingham's team of the moment Carlton Town. This however meant we were out of all the cup competitions.
Our Home form continued to be a worry with defeat at home to Melton Town. We finally beat Kimberley at Basford United and then ended the year with a draw at the RM against Clay Cross.
We end the year in 9th place which I am more than happy with. The home form concerns me with only 2 league wins at home so far this season. Thankfully our away form despite a couple of heavy defeats is still one of the best in the league.
For the rest of the season we must look to improve the home form whilst maintaining the away record. I will be more than happy with a top ten finish but would like to get to the 40 point mark ASAP.
So happy new year to everyone connected to Hucknall Town FC lets hope 2026 is a good one for us.
