Clipstone Fightback Thwarted at the Last

CLIPSTONE 2 HUCKNALL TOWN 3

UCL DIV 1 TUES 23RD AUGUST 2022 19.45 KO

MATCH REPORT

 TEAMS

Clipstone: Unavailable

Hucknall Town: 1 Louis Kinnerley 2 Callum Clarke 3 Louis Tomlinson 4 Connor Whiles 5 Aaron Short (Capt) 6 Billy Brooks 7 Aaron Lamb 8 Joe Ashurst 9 Kieran Knight 10 Craig Westcarr 11 Morgan Bell

Subs: Joe Butler, Jake Brien, Jamie Crawford, Finlay Whyte, Josh Henry

Officials: Oliver Thornhill, Martin Mountain, Tim Gregory

Attendance: 138

Quite how Hucknall became embroiled in a battle for the points only they will know. A solid first half performance saw them 2 up at half time and it could have been more. The home keeper produced a fine save just before the break. 

Though the home side improved at the start of the second half Hucknall still looked comfortable until conceding a really sloppy goal just after the hour mark to give Clipstone hope. For whatever reason, certainly the home side believed they could get something from the game, Hucknall stopped doing what they were doing kept giving the ball away and lost their shape. 

A headed goal from a free kick brought the hosts level and they had the chance to go in front but Kinnerley happened to be in the right place at the right time. 

At the death the best move of the game provided Hucknall with a winner, Craig Westcarr's superb cushioned pass put Kieron Knight through and he blasted the ball home off the keeper.

It had all started so well for the visitors with Captain Aaron Short returning to the side after being unavailable Saturday allowing Louis Tomlinson to return to the left back Position. Cayne Maxwell was Unavailable to play.

The first action was keeper Kinnerley receiving treatment for a smack in the face but he recovered and played on.

Morgan Bell had the first chance of the night on 7 mins seeing his header cleared off the line.

On 18 mins Hucknall took the lead following a corner. Aaron Short was on hand to poke the ball home.Two minutes later the lead was doubled. Craig Westcarr adding another to his seasons tally heading home from a corner from the other side.

Hucknall were in the box seat and playing some nice football causing some panic in the home defence which nearly caused a couple of own goals and as mentioned the home keeper producing a stunning save just before the break.

Although Clipstone certainly upped their game Hucknall should have wrapped the game up with both Westcarr and Ashurst putting shots just wide of the goal.

Quite why the visiting keeper decided to vacate his goal on 63 mins only he will know but it nearly cost us a goal admittedly in different circumstances on Saturday. This time there was no Cayne Maxwell to clear the ball off the line as the home sides Wootton lobbed the ball over the keeper from quite a tight angle into the net.

From that point on it was a completely different game. Hucknalls composure fell to bits as the home side piled forward.

Boss Andy Ingles made a change with Aaron Lamb being replaced by Jamie Crawford on 71 minutes and Josh Henry replaced Callum Clarke who looked to have picked up an injury.

The changes made no difference though as Hucknall constantly gave away possession and the home side capitalised when a free kick was given wide on the right.. The ball was whipped in and Heather rose highest to head home from close range.

At this point the game was anybody's and Clipstone indeed had a half chance to take the lead but the ball fell nicely to Kinnerley to gather.

With players like Kieran Knight and Craig Westcarr in Hucknall's side there was always a chance of sneaking a winner and so it proved. As described previously a great pass and a good finish proved the difference right at the death and it's a credit to Hucknall that they didn't just play out for the draw. 

Clipstone will be gutted their efforts were for nothing in the end but stick at it lads and the results will come.

Hucknall take a break from the league Saturday when visiting Last seasons champions Kimberley MW in the FA Vase.

Also I'd like to wish Cayne Maxwell and his bride to be all the very best for their wedding on Saturday.