SERIOUS INJURY AS HUCKNALL LOSE

 UCL DIV 1 WEDS 10TH AUGUST 19.45 KICK OFF

HUCKNALL TOWN 2 DUNKIRK 3

MATCH REPORT

TEAMS:

HUCKNALL TOWN : 1 Louis Kinnerley 2 Josh Henry 3 Jake Brien 4 Kieron Lane 5 Aaron Short (capt) 6 Billy Brooks 7Aaron Lamb 8Joe Ashurst 9 Craig Westcarr 10 Kieran Knight 11 Morgan Bell

Subs: Sam Sims, Montell Gatland, Callum Clarke, Cayne Maxwell

DUNKIRK: Alex Smith, Oliver Robinson, Ben Rafferty, Shea Thompson-Rafferty, Lewis Wilcox (capt), Rueban Nwadke, Jack Oldham, William Gillies, Max Taylor, Scott Litchfield, Aaron Large

Subs: George Harrison, James Rafferty, Noah Edmunds, Dylan Shaw, Jacob Taylor

officials: John Stevens, Robin Bourne, Paul Dixon

Attendance: 220

Hucknall once again failed to triumph against the Boatmen of Dunkirk in a game marred by a serious leg injury to Hucknall Kieron Lane. It was later confirmed that it was a broken Tibia and Kieron will be out for some time. We wish him a swift and problem free recovery. 

Hucknall were stunned in the third minute as the ball was given away on the edge of their box. Max Taylor still had lots to do but chested the ball down and put the ball in the top corner giving Kinnerley in the Town net no chance.

The early goal set the tone for the match as Dunkirk put everyone behind the ball and broke quickly when having the chance. Indeed, Kinnerley had to make a smart save from Taylor to stop a second goal for the visitors.

Ashurst had a shot flash across goal for Hucknall as they tried to get into the game but resolute defending and loose play from the Yellows prevented this.

To be fair the visitors looked more the likely to score a second and nearly did when the elusive Max Taylor nearly repeated the goal, but the crossbar saved Hucknall.

Hucknall's captain Aaron Short was winning a lot of headers, but none led to Alex Smith having to make a save as the half time whistle came with the visitors deservingly ahead.

Dunkirk nearly added a second at the start of the half, but Robinson failed to capitalise on Oldham's excellent delivery.

Any hopes that Hucknall would repeat Saturdays barnstorming half evaporated when Kieron Lane went into a fifty fifty challenge sustaining the unfortunate injury already mentioned. Cayne Maxwell replaced the unfortunate Lane.

Play was suspended for ten minutes, and it was Dunkirk who continued to look the more likely to score. Robinson was thwarted again with a goal line clearance. 

Dunkirk finally did get the second they deserve, and it was an absolute cracker from Lewis Wilcox. Hucknall gave the ball away and Wilcox picked up the loose ball and drove forward before unleashing a powerful shot which gave the keeper no chance.

Hucknall still hadn't had a shot on target but must be given credit for not throwing in the towel. Cayne Maxwell in particular was proving to be a thorn in the visitor's side. 

On another day Hucknall might well have got a penalty for handball in the box but the referees view was blocked much to the frustration of the home fans who were also getting frustrated by Dunkirk's masterclass in time wasting.

With 80 odd minutes gone Hucknall finally had an effort on goal, but Westcarr's free kick was easily saved. 

With the game drifting into a long period of added on time Hucknall finally found the back of the net. Clarke squeezing the ball home at the far post after Kieran Knights powerful shot was saved by Smith.

Any hopes of Hucknall salvaging an undeserved draw were immediately extinguished when a free kick to the visitors was met with an unchallenged header from Robinson.

Incredibly there was still time for Hucknall to get another back with Maxwell slotting home but in truth it gave the score line a little bit of respectability but nothing more.

Hucknall must lift themselves for the challenge of Bourne Town away on Saturday.