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

Local Derby awaits Yellows

HUCKNALL TOWNV EASTWOOD CFC

UCL PREMIER DIVISION NORTH

SATURDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2024 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

 

Next up for the Yellow are our local rivals Eastwood CFC the team that arose from the ashes of Eastwood Town FC. They play on the same Coronation Park ground but have no ties with the old club. They kept the badgers nickname but added red on the front. We had many battles with Eastwood Town and continued to do so with the new CFC team in the CMLS days and to many are our principle local rivals. 

Eastwood have assembled a really good squad as the season has progressed and after a slow start where they lost their first 2 league matches, (0 2 home v Melton Town and away 1 2 at Ashby Ivanhoe) they rallied and worked their way up the league into the play off spots. A poor December saw them exit the FA Vase before losing 3 league games in a row. However 2 victories at the end of the month seemed to have them back on track. However the Red Badgers failed to pick up a league victory in January drawing 2 and losing 2. 

There league record reads

Played 23 winning 7 drawing 4 and losing 8 with a GD of plus 2 to lie in 7 spot on 37 points.

The wins have come against Pinchbeck(away 6 0), Newark & Sherwood (home 2 1), Belper (away but on their own ground 4 1) Kimberley MW (away 1 0) , Sleaford (home 2 1), Lincoln United (home 2 1), AFC Mansfield (away 3 1), Loughborough Students (home 2 1) Newark and Sherwood (away 2 1), Heanor Town (home 2 1)and AFC Mansfield (home 2 1)

The draws have been against Deeping Rangers (away 2 2), Skegness Town (away 2 2), Belper United (home 1 1) and Boston Town (away 2 2)

The defeats have come against Melton Town (home 0 2), Ashby Ivanhoe (away 1 2), Sherwood Colliery (away 1 5), Ashby Ivanhoe (home 1 2), Melton Town (away 1 2), Loughborough Students (away 1 6), Skegness Town (home 2 3) and Deeping Rangers (home 0 2)

In the cups they beat Kimberley MW 3 1 at home in the FA Cup before bowing out in the next round at Anstey Nomads ( 1 2).

The FA Vase has seen them beat Southwell City (away 4 2) , Cogenhoe United (away 3 1) , Dudley Town (home 4 1) before losing to Stourport Swifts (home 1 4)

The League Knock out cup saw them beat Selston 8 1 at home but in the next round a 3 2 defeat at home to Easington Sports saw them exit the competition.

The Notts Senior cup has seen them beat Clifton AW (home 2 0), Kimberley MW (home 3 0), Rainworth MW (away 5 0). They have drawn Nottingham Forests u 21's at home in the semi finals.

Hucknall's record now reads

Played  22 winning 1 drawing 5 and losing 16 with a GD of minus 42 to remain bottom.

Although the situation is getting quite desperate Hucknall did enough and deserved to win last week with only the crossbar and a very good penalty shout waved away denying the Yellows.

Eastwood will be expecting to win tomorrow but games with them could go any way with controversy usually thrown in and the result can never be predicted. 

The Yellows have again added to their squad with winger Sam Smith and centre back Taylor Jayne. Welcome to the RM guys.

Should be a very good game.

HUCKNALL TOWN V AFC MANSFIELD

UCL PREMIER NORTH SAT 14.10.23 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

After becoming the first side to stop Loughborough Students from scoring in a league game this season and in the process earning a creditable draw under the new management Hucknall will be looking for a bigger reward tomorrow when AFC Mansfield visit the RM Stadium.

The visitors have shown how different the table can look with back to back league victories and they will be looking to pull further away from the bottom with another one. 

AFC Mansfield's Record reads 

Played 12 winning 3 drawing 2 and losing 7 with a GD of minus 4 to lie 14th in the table.

The victories have been quite impressive with 2 1 victories at Loughborough Students and Boston Town respectively whilst bottom side Pinchbeck were trounced 8 nil at home by the Bulls.

Draws have come against Newark and Sherwood (away 1 1) and Wisbech Town (home 3 3)

Defeats have come against Sleaford Town (home 02), Kimberley MW (away 0 3), Belper United (away 4 5), Heanor Town (home 1 2), Deeping Rangers (home 0 3), Melton Town (away 2 4) and their last game Eastwood CFC (home 1 3) on Wednesday night.

In the Cups the Bulls drew away in the FA Cup at Skegness but lost the home replay 2 1.

The FA Vase has seen them progress from the first round after beating Leicester ST Andrews on penalties away after drawing the game 2 2. But they bowed out in the next round at home to Kimberley MW 2 1.

In the league knockout cup they went out first round 6 0 at home to Ashby Ivanhoe and in the Notts Senior cup go out first round 4 1 away at Div 1 side Clipstone.

Reading into the results AFC seem to perform better away from home.

Hucknall's record now reads

Played 11 winning 1 drawing 3 and losing 7 with a GD of minus 23 to lie second bottom.

5 of those points have come in the last 3 league games with the home victory over Ashby Ivanoe, a draw away at Newark and Sherwood where only a last gasp equaliser denying the Yellows 3 points and last weeks game which could have gone either way but a draw was a fair result. 

So things are improving for the Yellows and tomorrow will see the first real input of the new management team after taking training sessions this week. Their first signing was made, Seke spence joining the Yellows from Boston town after being with Clifton AW and Ilkeston before that. We welcome Seke to the club.

Hopefully the heavy rain will clear and give the pitch time to drain ahead of kick off.

New Era For Yellows With A New Management Team

 HUCKNALL TOWN V LOUGHBOROUGH STUDENTS

UCL PREMIER NORTH SATURDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

A new era begins for Hucknall Town this Saturday When the new management team of Reece Limbert and Louis Bland take charge of proceedings for the first game of what hopefully will be a long and happy tenure. Welcome to the RM Stadium lads.

Thanks must go to Phil Henry, Stewart Bowley, Darren Jubb (who will remain in his coaching role) and everyone involved in seeing the club through the transitional period and deserve credit for getting that elusive first victory and very nearly our first away league victory last weekend, thwarted only by a last gasp equaliser. 

The new management team face a difficult looking task in the visit to the RM of Loughborough Students. Another team that I don't think we've played before (correct me if I'm wrong)

Loughborough have a league record so far of

Played 11 winning 4 drawing 4 and losing 3 with a GD of plus 13

wins have come against Boston Town (home 2 0), Heanor Town (home 4 1), Pinchbeck United (away 0 11 (eleven)), Deeping Rangers (home 3 2)

Draws have been against Heanor Town (away 1 1), Belper United (home 1 1 ), Skegness Town (away 1 1) and Kimberley MW (home 1 1).

Defeats have come against Sleaford Town (away 3 1), surprisingly AFC Mansfield (home 2 1) and Lincoln United (away 2 1).

In the cup competitions They held Grantham Town to a ! ! draw away only to lose the replay by the only goal at home.

In the FA Vase they had an impressive 6 3 victory away at Deeping Rangers and then an even more impressive 9 (nine) 0 victory at home against Dunkirk. They face Gedling MW away in the next round.

In the League cup They drew 3 3 at home to Daventry Town progressing through 4 2 on penalties. They then drew 0 0 at Harrowby before winning 4 3 on penalties to progress to the next round. 

Loughborough are currently unbeaten in 8 games in all competitions and will prove to be difficult opponents tomorrow.

 Hucknall though will be looking to get the new era starting with three points. The team selection will be interesting. Who will be available will be interesting. 

Yellows Roll Into Deeping Looking For Elusive Victory

 DEEPING RANGERS V HUCKNALL TOWN

UCL PREMIER NORTH SEPT 16TH 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH REVIEW

Buoyed by a midweek Notts Senior cup win at Southwell in midweek Hucknall will be looking to secure their first league victory of the season at Deeping Rangers.

The mid week win also saw manager Andy Ingle stand down hot on the heels of assistant manager Michael Banister the week before and Phil Henry will step into a caretaker role until a new manager is appointed. 

I'm sorry it hasn't worked out for Andy and Bano I have huge respect for both of them and wish them well for the future. Also"big Nige" has left the club to join Newark and Sherwood and whilst that is disappointing I wish him all the best at his new club.

It leaves the caretaker manager with limited options up front but Trevell and Callum are getting better every week and I'm sure will continue to do so.

Right onto the opposition and correct me if I am wrong but I think it's the first time we have crossed swords and it is certainly a new ground visit for me today. 

Deeping hail from Market Deeping in Lincolnshire about 7 miles from Bourne who are their local rivals. They are a very well established UCL premier league side.

This season their league record reads

Played 8 winning 3 drawing 3 and losing 2 with a GD of plus 3 to lie in 8th place.

Their season didn't start great with an opening day 2 2 draw at home to Heanor Town followed by a draw by the same score away at Boston Town. Two defeats followed away at the only team unbeaten Sherwood Colliery (4 0)and at home to Melton Town (2 0) but three wins and another 2 2 draw at home to Eastwood in their last match have followed.

The victories were against Kimberley (home 2 0) Pinchbeck (away 4 0) and AFC Mansfield (away 3 0)

The FA competitions saw them bow out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle (3 0 away at Ashby Ivanoe) and out of the Vase (home to Loughborough students 3 6)

In comparison Hucknall's league record is dire

Played 7 winning 0 drawing 1 and losing 6 with a GD of minus 18

So another difficult task awaits the Yellows today but at some point we will turn the corner. Whether today is that day remains to be seen but I wish Phil and the lads all the best and as ever we will be there to support in good numbers again.

Useful Links:

address: Deeping Rangers FC

The Haydon Whitham Stadium, Outgang Road, Towngate East

Market Deeping

Lincs

PE6 8LQ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DeepingRangers

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

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeepingRangersFC/?locale=en_GB

Yellows Suffer Another Home Defeat

 HUCKNALL TOWN 0 SKEGNESS TOWN 2

UCL PREMIER NORTH

SAT SEPT 9TH 2023 3 PM KO

TEAMS: Hucknall Town

1 Alfie Smith-Eccles 2 Jamie Crawford 3 Dillon Rawson 4 Sam sims 5 Aaron Short (Capt) 6 Connor Whiles 7 Brad Lathall 8 Kai Wilson 9 Trevell Lindo 10 Joe Ashurst 11 Louis Czerwak

Subs: Callum Orange, Raife Poplar, Kieron Lane, Jack Smith

Skegness Town

1 Jake Lovelace 2 Adam Millson 3 Elliott Broughton 4 Conor Marshall 5 Nick Jackson 6 Bailey Dilley 7 Jonny Lockie 8 Scott Floyd 9 Declan Johnson 10 Ben Davison 11 Luke Raynor-Mistry

Subs: Harrison Ainsley, Stacey Cartwright, Gary King, Jamie Robinson

officials: Jack Hennell Alan Parker, David Henfrey

Att: 270

Skegness took the victory and the three points back to the seas side but at least the Yellows stemmed the flow of goals and put in an acceptable performance.

Hucknall suffered a big blow when big striker Niall Towle was ruled out with a hamstring injury picked up in the mid week defeat at Newark. This meant a starting place up front for Trevell Lindo. New signing Jacob Sturgess was also missing as was Billy Brooks and Nathan Kelly. Dillon Rawson returned as full back. Michael Banister has stepped down as assistant manager and left the club.

Hucknall started quite brightly with Czerwak having the first shot but it was straight at the visiting keeper.

After 10 minutes the home keeper had to save a Lockie shot from close range.

The visitors took the lead a minute later from a fabulous strike from distance by Declan Johnson. 

Before Hucknall could reset they fell two behind after a good move from the visitors broke down the Hucknall defence. Ben Davison's header from a right wing cross gave Smith-Eccles no chance and once again the Yellows had a mountain to climb. 

Smith-Eccles then produced a great save tipping a free kick over to keep the score down to 2.

The referee decided he needed to be in on the show and showed Aaron Short a yellow card for a challenge on the keeper which was nothing more than an unavoidable collision with both going for the ball.

Czerwak was then brought down in the box but to further enrage a partisan home crowd the referee waved the protests away. 

Then came a decision which needs some explaining. Lindo was tugged outside the box but the official played on with the Hucknall man goal side of the defender. The defender then fouled Lindo a good metre inside the box but to everyone's amazement the referee pulled it back for the original tug. The resulting free kick ended up with Short putting the ball wide. Czerwak also put a shot off target just before the half ended.

The second half saw Skegness content to defend and then break quickly. Despite a lot of Hucknall effort there was very little end result and a couple of quick breaks from the opposition nearly bore fruit with an unsuccessful penalty appeal of their own and a shot that was off target.

Lathall looked to be through on goal but was pulled back by Jackson taking a yellow for his troubles. Again the freekick came to nothing.

68 minutes saw Orange replace Lindo.

A lovely cross by Crawford was met by the head of Joe Ashurst but went straight into the keepers hands.

Ashurst then received a yellow for a bad tackle.

Orange was doing well since coming on but he was involved in a worrying piece of play. After a similar incident that saw Short booked in the first half the young visiting keeper was brave but was knocked clean out in the collision. Some of the home fans didn't realise how serious the situation was but the keeper was given a good round of applause when he was chaired off after a good amount of treatment. The MOM bottle was also given to him as a token of acknowledgement (hope his Mum enjoyed it)

The Yellows pressed in the time added on but the visitors ran out deserved winners.

Next game is a Notts Senior cup game at Southwell on Wednesday followed by a long trip to Deeping Rangers next Saturday.

Hucknall hope to put things right as Skegness visit Town

 HUCKNALL TOWN V SKEGNESS TOWN

UCL PREMIER DIVISION NORTH

SAT SEPT 9TH 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

After a nightmare week Hucknall will be looking for a much better performance at home to Skegness Town. Every man and his dog would like to take on Hucknall at the moment after the Yellows sank to the bottom of the table after being brushed aside by previously bottom Pinchbeck at home last Saturday. Worse was to follow on Wednesday night in a League cup tie at division 1 Newark Town.

After a pretty even first half which saw the Yellows trailing 3 1 at half time the Yellows fell apart second half eventually losing 7 2 but it could have been double figures. Our goals came from Brad Lathall and Louis Czerwak but they were little consolation. New signing Jacob Sturgess played well despite the score line and I think he will be a big asset but he must be wondering just what he has walked into.

Skegness will be trying to become the next team to wear out our goal nets. 

They arrive at the RM with a record this season of

Played 6 winning 3 drawing 0 and losing 3 with a GD of plus 1

The three league defeats were in their first 3 games. Opening day 3 1 at home to Sherwood, 2 nil away at Sleaford and 3 2 away at Heanor Town. 

Three league wins have followed since against Pinchbeck (home 3 0) , Wisbech (home 1 0) and Melton (home 2 0)

They also beat AFC Mansfield over 2 games in the FA Cup before bowing out to Sheffield FC in the next round..

They are also in the next round of the FA Vase after beating Saffron Dynamo 2 1 away in the last round.

Hucknall will be looking to simply play better and give a good account of themselves tomorrow. I'm sure the supporters will once again be behind them but the attendance will be interesting tomorrow.

It's painful being a Yellows fan at the moment but three points will go a long way to make everyone associated with the club feel better.

Yellows Put To The Sword By The Pinchbeck Knights

 HUCKNALL TOWN 0 PINCHBECK UNITED 5

UCL PREMIER NORTH 

SATURDAY 2ND SEPTEMBER 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH REPORT

TEAMS:

Hucknall Town

1 Alfie Smith-Eccles 2 Raife Poplar 3 Kieron Lane 4 Sam Sims 5 Aaron Short (Capt) 6 Connor Whiles 7 Jamie Crawford 8 Kai Wilson 9 Niall Towle 10 Joe Ashurst 11 Louis Czerwak

Subs: Trevell Lindo, Callum Orange Michael Banister, Jack Smith

Pinchbeck United: (in no particular order)

Elliott Burell, Harry Cranfield, Sam Edwards, Jake Henderson, Taylor Jaine, Harry Johnson, Ben Robson, Flynn Slater, Nathan Stevens, James Stuffins, Andre Williams

Subs: Kelvin Ibeneme, Joe Melson, Logan Tate, Dan Wright

Officials: Neil Smith, Al Parker, Lee Harrison

Attendance: 204

A day that started full of optimism ended in disbelief and huge disappointment as bottom club Pinchbeck nicknamed the Knights put the Yellows to the sword in ruthless fashion.

The visitors only had to wait 5 minutes before opening the scoring. The old adage of playing to the whistle came to the fore as the entire Hucknall side stopped believing there had been a handball. The official thought differently and Pinchbeck carried on. It was still a good finish from the pinchbeck player from outside the box.

Hucknall's response was a cross from the lively Czerwak but no one was there and Ashurst put one over from distance. In truth there was nothing to bother the visiting keeper and indeed the visitors doubled their lead on 34 mins. The Hucknall defence misjudged a through ball giving the Pinchbeck attack acres of space. Johnson applying the final touch into the net.

Worse was to follow 4 minutes before halftime as Slater tapped home from close range to make it 3.

Manager Ingle elected to keep the Hucknall players out on the pitch at halftime.

Hucknall had plenty of possession for the first 25 minutes of the second half but never tested the visiting keeper. Czerwak and Ashurst blazed shots over. Aaron Short perhaps came closest with an angled header that went narrowly wide.

74 mins saw Lindo and Orange enter the fray replacing Towle and Lane but any hopes of a comeback lay in tatters moments later as the visitors made it 4.

Pinchbeck broke quickly after a Hucknall corner and Tate finished off the move.

Hucknall had visibly gone and the visitors quickly made it 5 a minute later through Johnson. 

Jack Smith who had resigned for Hucknall in Midweek came on and to his credit did well nearly catching the visiting keeper off his line but the ball went over. 

It took until the 92nd minute for the visiting keeper to make a save of any note. Sam Sims angled shot cleared by the keepers legs.

The referee blew the whistle to end the game and while the visitors rightfully celebrated a huge win for them the Yellows replaced them at the bottom and became the only team to not register a win in the league. 

I have rarely seen a Hucknall crowd so shocked at a result on home soil. The players and management seemed equally as shocked.

I waited for a while before writing this report and people including myself have made their feelings known on social media. I admit I don't know the answer but I do believe that it is a culmination of factors. Whilst I never expected to be winning the league I certainly didn't think we would struggle to this low. However like the gaffer says it is early days and there is time to turn this around. The reaction to this defeat is what matters going forward  I truly believe that the players we have got are capable of much better than this.

Yellow's look for victory in key game

HUCKNALL TOWN V PINCHBECK UNITED

UCL PREMIER NORTH

SAT SEPT 2ND 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall will be looking for the elusive victory in the league this season when playing the only other side without a victory and the only team below them in the table.

As only one team goes down this season this even at an early stage of the season is a massive game for the Yellow's. 

Pinchbeck hail from Lincolnshire and groundshare with Spalding United. I don't believe our paths have crossed before but I stand to be informed otherwise. 

After many years in the Peterborough and District league they were promoted to the UCL Div 1 in 2016/17 after finishing runners up. This is when the groundshare with Spalding (who I am sure we have played) began. Winning the UCL div 1 league in 2017/18  they were promoted to the Premier North where thay have been ever since.

Last season saw them finish 17th from 20 teams with a record of 

played 38 winning 8 drawing 3 and losing 27 with a GD of minus 46

This season has seen a similar start to Hucknalls. Having played 2 games more than the Yellows they have a solitary point achieved in a draw away to Ashby Ivanhoe on the opening day of the season.

They then played the team Hucknall had drawn with on opening day but lost 3 1 away. Further defeats followed against Eastwood (home 0 6), Skegness (away 0 3), Boston (away 0 4), Kimberley (away 2 5) and most recently on Wednesday Deeping Rangers (home 0 4)

Of course they will be looking at this game as one to win as well and the home side shouldn't be complacent in thinking this game is easy and I don't think they will.

Hopefully we will be celebrating 3 points on Saturday or I genuinely believe the fans will start asking questions of where we go from here. 

Hucknall's valiant effort ends in no reward

 HEANOR TOWN 3 HUCKNALL TOWN 2

UCL PREMIER NORTH 

MON 28TH AUGUST 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH REPORT

TEAMS: Heanor Town

! Emery 2 Horne 3 Nice 4 Craddock 5 Marriott-Lane 6 Thornberry 7 Gordon 8 Moore 9 Markelic 10 Debrouwer 11 Taylor

Subs: 12 Scott 14 Sandhu 15 Morris 16 Britton 17 Graham

Hucknall Town

1 Alfie Smith-Eccles 2 Jamie Crawford 3 Raife Poplar 4 Sam Sims 5 Aaron Short (Capt) 6 Billy Brooks 7 Trevell Lindo 8 Kai Wilson 9  Niall Towle 10 Joe Ashurst 11 Louis Czerwak

Subs: Kieren Lane, Callum Orange, Michael Banister

officials: Max atherton, Al Parker, Paul Dixon

Att: 305

The hosts remained unbeaten in the league whilst the visitors ended up still looking for an elusive first league win but Hucknall will take a lot of positives from this game going into a clash of the bottom 2 this weekend.

Hucknall once again gave themselves a mountain to climb going two goals down after 28 minutes but found the resilience to get back on level terms only to see their first half efforts thwarted by a dubious penalty decision which gave Heanor a 3 2 half time lead and despite chances for both teams second half that's how it remained.

Heanor saw a cross on 7 minutes cleared over the bar from close range by Jamie Crawford.

Hucknall responded and Ashurst's shot from Lindo's pass forced a good save from the home keeper. The linesman's flag went up when Lindo was through on goal. 

Heanor took the lead on 18 minutes. Markelic took advantage of a mistake in the Hucknall defence and played the ball back to Taylor who slotted the ball home.

Smith-Eccles then made a save from Taylor as Heanor looked to double their lead. 

On 27 minutes they did just that, the dangerous Taylor was played through by Moore's pass and he took a touch before shooting past the visiting keeper.

However any thoughts that the home side would romp to victory were put to bed when Crawford played in Czerwak who blasted the ball high into the net to immediately halve the deficit.

Even better was to come for the Yellows when on 32 minutes Joey Ashurst produced another early doors goal of the season contender when curling the ball superbly into the top corner from the edge of the box to draw the teams level.

The home side responded well and Smith-Eccles had to make a saves from a Markelic free kick on 35 mins and a powerful Debrouwer shot just after.

Heanor were rewarded for their efforts when Billy Brooks was adjudged to have handled Debrouwer's shot in the box. It's the sort of decision the top teams get whilst those at the bottom don't. Debrouwer made no mistake from the spot to restore the home sides lead.

There was still time before half time for Taylor to be denied his hat trick after another good save by Smith-Eccles. Markelic then had the ball in the Yellow's net but the offside flag was raised and the teams went in for half time after a craking half of football.

Markelic had the first chance of the second half but saw his shot bounce off the crossbar when through on goal.

Raife Poplar saw a cross nearly curl in for the visitors as they looked to get back into the game. 

Captain Aaron Short then produced a great tackle to keep the home side at bay. 

Markelic then went close on the hour mark but his shot went wide. Ashurst then did well to block a shot and Smith-Eccles had to be sharp picking up the ball from Debrouwer's feet.

Markelic seemed determined to score and another free kick flashed past the post. 

Callum Orange had replaced Trevell Lindo before this for the visitors.

Whether Heanor ran out of steam at this point is debatable but the last ten minutes belonged to the visitors as they pressed for an equaliser. 

Hucknall had their own claims for a handball in the box turned away by the official despite claims from players and away fans.

Towle's cross then evaded Wilson at the far post. Kieron Lane replaced Wilson afterwards.

Callum Orange then saw a shot saved by the home keeper and then ran onto Lane's pass only to be brought down by Nice (who wasn't being Nice)who was rewarded with a yellow card.

Towle took the free kick but hit the Heanor wall and then with the last throw of the dice Orange's shot was put behind for a corner.

The whistle blew and another frustrating defeat was the result for the Yellows who once again failed to get anything against bogey side Heanor.

Bogey Side Heanor await Yellows

 HEANOR TOWN V HUCKNALL TOWN

UCL PREM NORTH MON 28TH AUGUST 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

After a much needed victory in the FA Vase on Saturday the Yellows have no time to celebrate as they visit the Town ground Heanor this bank holiday Monday.

Heanor have been pretty much a bogey side for the Yellows in recent meetings, although some of those games were expunged from the record books due to covid. I can remember a particularly heavy defeat at the Town ground on the $th January 2020 at a time when we weren't used to heavy defeats.

Heanor were actually one of the few teams who benefitted from Covid. Their record in the joint seasons resulted in them being promoted to the UCL Premier North where they have plied their trade since.

Last season saw them finish 13th with a record of 

played 38 winning 14 drawing 5 and losing 19 with a GD of minus 2

This season has seen them start well being unbeaten after 5 league games winning 3 and drawing 2. Indeed their first 2 games saw the draws against Deeping Rangers away and Loughborough students at home. A 6 3 away win at Bedwoth United in the FA Cup followed. Further league wins followed with a 3 2 home win against Skegness Town and an away win 2 1 at AFC Mansfield. Sporting Khalsa put an end to their FA Cup dreams in a remarkable game where Heanor took the lead in the ^%th minute only to see Khalsa score 6 times in the time remaining. Heanor responded well though with a home win 2 nil over Newark and Sherwood.

They have a strike force that is amongst the best in the division. The evergreen Kieran Debrouwer and  Sacha Markelic. Thankfully Jamie Sleigh appears to have moved on.

So the task that faces Hucknall is a daunting one that is made even worse by the ever growing injury list. Kieren Lane limped off on Saturday and Louis Czerwak also picked up a knock. 

Football sometimes has the ability to surprise and I think it would be a major surprise if we were to get anything out of this game. Sadly I can't make this game as I'm amongst the Bank Holiday working bracket but I truly hope the Yellows can spring that surprise.

Safe travels all

Useful Links:

Address: Mayfield Ave, Heanor DE75 7EN

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeanorTownFC

Facebook: way out of date

Weather Forecast: Sunny Intervals, no rain forecast at KO time

Hucknall Seal First Win of the Season and Progress in the Vase

 SANDIACRE TOWN 1 HUCKNALL TOWN 5 

FA VASE IST QUALIFYING ROUND

SATURDAY 26TH AUGUST 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH REPORT

TEAMS:

SANDIACRE : (in no particular order) Lewis Taylor, Ellis Read, Perry Mcgrath, Cayne Maxwell, Kelavita Maveso, James Knowles, Owen Hayes, Travis Comery, Callum Clarke, Reece Campbell, Alex Beno

Subs: Nathan Appiah, Kian Morrison, Yoan Penkov

HUCKNALL TOWN 1 Alfie Smith-Eccles, 2 Raife Poplar, 3 Dillon Rawson, 4 Kai Wilson, 5 Aaron Short (Capt) 6 Michael Banister 7 Jamie Crawford 8 Kieron Lane 9 Niall Towle 10 Joe Ashurst 11 Louis Czerwak

Subs: Emeraude Kabongo, Callum Orange, Trevell Lindo

ATT: 128

Hucknall at last tasted victory and now revisit Boston Town where the Yellows will be looking for revenge after a recent league defeat there.

With a few players unavailable Callum Orange stepped up from the reserves. Michael Banister returned from holiday to play at centre back. 

Sandiacre included popular ex yellow Cayne Maxwell and also Callum Clarke who is still on the Yellow's books (I believe).

The yellows started brightly with a header from an Ashurst free kick being headed just wide and a shot by Czerwak also going wide. 

Hucknall were dealt a blow on 11 minutes when Lane went down injured. He carried on but struggled from that point onwards. 

Hucknall took the lead when the lively Czerwak was played through but was brought down by a push from the defender and may also have been clipped by the keeper. He was down for a while afterwards and Niall Towle had to wait an age to take the penalty but easily beat the keeper to put the Yellows 1 up.

The lead was short lived however as Sandiacre equalised instantly. Smith-eccles was wrong footed by a shot which virtually rolled into the net to stun the Hucknall defence.Alex Beno was credited with the goal.

The home side had their best spell of the game and Rawson did well to clear for a corner.

Hucknall retook the lead on 27. A nice piece of interplay between Rawson and Czerwak resulted in the latter shooting home. A nice advantage played by the official.

Sandiacre rolled up their sleeves and dug in, a cross across the Hucknall goal somehow evaded everyone and then Smith- Eccles made a fine stop. The Struggling Lane was replaced just after the half hour mark by Trev Lindo and he nearly made an immediate impact but his shot lacked composure and went over.

Right at the end of the half Smith-Eccles had to be sharp in collecting the ball. Any misjudgement would have led to a penalty and a possible red card but he timed it well.

A well matched first half was followed by a mismatched second half as the Yellows produced their best half of the season so far. First Towle's touch let him down allowing the keeper to claim. and moments later a Ashurst shot was dealt with by the keeper.

You could sense a goal coming and it duly did. The move of the game saw Ashurst pick up the ball take on the defence to the by-line before crossing to the waiting Lindo who's header powered by the home keeper. It really was a lovely goal.

Czerwak was unlucky not to get another penalty when brought down in the box but Hucknall didn't have to wait long for another as Towle claimed his second tapping in from close range after Ashurst had not given up on a chance to cross.

On the hour mark Callum Orange came on for Captain Short. He was immediately involved in the Yellows fifth goal crossing the ball into the box for Lindo to shoot. The keeper made a good save but it fell to Towle and he completed his hat trick. 

Credit to Sandiacre who never gave up but didn't really threaten the Hucknall goal at all and in truth the Yellows could have scored more.

Though the victory was most welcome Hucknall have very little time to celebrate as they have a tricky away league game at Heanor Town on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon. 

Yellows hope for Vase Victory to Kick start Their Season

 SANDIACRE TOWN V HUCKNALL TOWN

FA VASE FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND

SAT 26TH AUGUST 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

After a 10 day rest Hucknall return to action hoping to kick start their season with a much needed victory against UCL Div 1 rivals and newly promoted Sandiacre Town at Stanton Lane.

Arguably The Yellows will be favourites to win a game for the first time this season but no doubt the home side will fancy their chances on their own patch and be up for this game.

Sandiacre were promoted from the Notts Senior League last season  even though they finished third in the Premier division behind Keyworth and the champions close neighbours Stapleford Town with both teams either not wanting promotion or other issues preventing it.

Sandiacre's  League record last season reads

Played 32 winning 21 drawing 4 and losing 7with a GD of plus 27

So far this season in the UCL div 1 

played 4 won 1 lost 3 with a GD of minus 7

The win came at home to Rainworth MWFC 2 nil and the defeats have come against Lutterworth Athletic (home 1 3) Birstall (away 2 1) and Kirby Muxloe (home 1 7)

Sandiacre have a player we are very familiar with, the hugely popular Cayne Maxwell who left the Yellows last season after many years playing for the club. He will surely be looking forward to this game and I'm sure he will get a warm reception from the travelling Yellows fans.

Hucknall's poor start to the season has been well documented but even in the defeats against Boston and Sherwood signs were there that things are on the up.

Should be a good game. If the game is level at the end of 90mins then 30 mins extra time is played and then if need be by a penalty shoot out. There will be no replay.

useful links:

Address: Stanton Rd, Sandiacre, Nottingham NG10 5DE

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

Club Website: https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/sandiacretownfootballclub

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sandiacre_town/status/1694250064850346111

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/STFC1stTeamTown/

Weather Forecast: showers and sunny intervals at kick off time

Ex Yellows come back to Sting Town

 HUCKNALL TOWN 1 SHERWOOD COLLIERY 4

UCL DIV 1 WEDS AUGUST 16TH 2023 19.45 KO

MATCH REPORT

TEAMS:

HUCKNALL: 1 Alfie Smith-Eccles 2 Raife Poplar 3 Dillon Rawson 4 Sam Sims 5 Aaron Short (capt) 6 Billy Brooks 7 Jamie Crawford 8 Joe Ashurst 9 Niall Towle 10 Brad Lathall 11 Louis Czerwak

 Subs: Emeraude Kabongo, Kieren Lane, Kai wilson, Nathan Kelly, Trevell Lindo

SHERWOOD: 1 Louis Kinnerley 2 Carter Widdowson 3 Louis Tomlinson 4 Jobe Shaw 5 Josh Waldram  6 Ewan Robson 7 Jamie York 8 Brad Wells 9 Craig Westcarr 10 Kieron Knight 11 Ethan Wiesztort

Subs: Louis Pennington, Ricky Starbuck, Jacob Pearce, James Matthews, Morley Grant

Officials: Nick Elliott, Lee Harrison, Alex Orchiston

ATT: 351

Sherwood Colliery rolled into the RM with a unblemished league record and left with that record intact and went back to the top of the league despite a gutsy performance from the Yellows in the end sheer class won the game.

All four summer signings from Hucknall's play off winning squad started the game for Sherwood but they were just four from a team full of quality players.

Hucknall had another debutant goalkeeper in Alfie Smith-Eccles who signed for the yellows in mid week. Michael Banister was away on holiday so Aaron Short And Billy Brooks were the centre backs. Poplar made his home debut after playing at Boston Town. 

The first 15 minutes were pretty even with Sims having the first shot of the game which was easily saved by Kinnerley who was getting a lot of stick off the yellows fans behind his goal.

Sherwood began to make inroads with a shot well off target then the linesman flagging for offside when through on the Hucknall goal. Smith-Eccles then made a good save to keep the score goalless. 

Hucknall weren't being bossed though and Poplar produced a good cross which evaded everyone.

Westcarr then had his first chance against his old club but it was cleared for a corner much to the home fans amusement. The resulting corner saw a shot for the visitors go wide.

Towle then had a header which went straight to Kinnerley.

Sherwood then had a period of possession with another shot from distance going wide and a couple of corners.

The visitors then opened the scoring just after the half hour mark when Jamie York was played through and he headed over the home keeper into the net.

Hucknall responded well and had a free kick which went narrowly over by Towle. 

The game had been played in a good spirit but Poplar was the first to see yellow on 36 mins for a rash tackle.

Sherwood were looking to add to the single goal and Short cleared well from the approaching Westcarr.

Two shots followed from the visitors, one too high and one well wide.

Just when it looked like the Yellows would go into the half time break trailing Captain Short was in the right place at the right time to equalise for the Yellows. Czerwak played the ball into the box with Kinnerley looking favourite to collect but he fumbled the ball and Short put the ball in the net. Kinnerley and the Sherwood bench feeling that the keeper had been fouled but the goal stood much to the amusement of the home fans who created a Kinnerley flapping dance.

The second half was where the visitors showed their class but it was Lathall who had the first chance of the half but his shot was straight at Kinnerley.

Yellows were made to rue this missed opportunity as Sherwood went up the other end and retook the lead. Brad Wells applying the final touch from close range after an initial save by Smith-Eccles.

Hucknall were still very much in the game and Towle went close with a header on 53 mins. It was his last contribution as he was replaced by Kelly much to the bemusement of the crowd. Aaro short was also replaced by Kieren Lane.

The substitutions didn't have an immediate effect as Sherwood wrapped up the points with a third goal and it was ex yellow Kieran Knight who made the game safe finishing well when played through.

The game was pretty much up for Town and despite further substitutions Kabongo replacing Crawford and Wilson replacing Lathall they were unable to get back into the game.

Indeed it was another ex yellow who scored a 4th for the visitors. Craig Westcarr applying the finish. His over exuberant celebration saying more than words ever could.

To be fair to the Yellow's players they gave it a good go for the last ten minutes but created no golden opportunities as Sherwood ran down the clock.

As the final whistle blew it was good to see our ex keeper shake hands with the fans and we wish all our ex players well for the season and also Sherwood Colliery who will surely be in the reckoning come the end of the season.

As for the Yellows they have a Saturday off at the weekend and I think that's a good thing. Time for a period of reflection before entering the battle again. 

I actually think we played well against Sherwood and in large parts against Boston away and this bodes well after disappointing displays against Belper (who are unbeaten and sit 2nd behind Sherwood) and Newark away. 

It's pretty obvious that this is going to be a hard season but it's the matches against the teams around us that will be the important ones. I'm very surprised to see Kimberley down there with us but Pinchbeck and AFC Mansfield not so much.

The 2 new full backs have impressed me and I do genuinely feel we are getting there but time will tell.

Next game for the Yellows is on Saturday 26th August when we travel to Sandiacre Town for a FA Vase game which will see us up against another ex Yellow the very popular Cayne Maxwell. Also a game in which we will be favourites to win for the first time this season but that won't be easy on their own patch.

Hucknall old boys back for one night only

 HUCKNALL TOWN V SHERWOOD COLLIERY

UCL PREMIER NORTH 

WEDS 16TH AUGUST 2023 19.45 KO

MATCH PREVIEW

With four of last season's promotion winning squad uprooting and leaving the RM stadium in the summer aquaintances are renewed this Wednesday with all of them as all four ended up at Debdale Lane via a couple of other clubs.

Whilst I shall always be grateful for the contributions of Kieran Knight, Craig Westcarr, Louis Tomlinson and Louis Kinnerley it does grate that they are still playing at the same level and for one of our local rivals who currently sit at the top of the league albeit after only 3 games, one of 3 sides with 100% records.

Sherwood are absolutely no strangers to Hucknall with many a cup battle and Central Midlands league games over recent seasons with a good manager and a good side. 

Last seasons campaign saw them finish in a creditable 7th spot with a record of 

played 38 winning 22 drawing 3 and losing 13 with a GD of plus 34

This season has already seen 3 wins over Skegness town on opening day (away 3 1), Lincoln United (home 2 0) and Deeping Rangers (home 4 0).

Coupled with drawing 2 2 at home in the FA Cup with Aylestone, a game I attended and then beating them 2 1 away in the replay highlights the task facing Hucknall on Wednesday. Craig Westcarr has scored in 4 of those 5 games and Knight has also opened his account for them.

Sherwood also have a host of other good players and I expect to see them go close to winning the title this time around even at this early stage.

Hucknall will be encouraged by a better performance at Boston Town although it ended in defeat and may well have another new keeper between the posts Wednesday but the task is enormous.

Poor Start and Red Card Stun Yellows

 BOSTON TOWN 3 HUCKNALL TOWN 1

UCL PREM NORTH SAT 12TH AUGUST 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH REPORT

TEAMS: 

BOSTON: 1 Travis Portas 2 Dan Worthington 3 Balint Bogdan 4 Layton Maddison 5 Richard Ford 6 Luke Wilson 7  Lee Beeson 8Jordan Tate 9 Jordan Nuttell 10 Harry Limb 11 Fraser Bayliss

Used Subs: Liam Adams, Marshall Young, Zane Millar

HUCKNALL: 1 Kristian Ogonowski 2 Raife Poplar 3 Dillon Rawson 4 Joe Ashurst 5 Aaron Short (capt) 6 Michael Banister 7 Jamie Crawford 8 Kai Wilson 9 Niall Towle 10 Brad Lathall 11 Louis Czerwak

Used Subs: Kieron Lane

Officials: Referee Ellis Mills assisted by Mark Bruntlett and Jak Kirkman

ATT: 120

Hucknall found themselves 2 goals behind after just 7 minutes but played much better than recent performances and got back in the game through a wonder strike by Jamie Crawford only to be thwarted by a harsh red card for Brad Lathall which allowed the home side to get the killer third goal which put the game to bed.

Hucknall started with debutants Ogonowski in goal and Poplar at right back. Mitchell Leivers having picked up a broken finger bone and will be out for a few weeks. 

Player coach Michael Banister playing at centre half for the absent Billy Brooks.

The Yellows gave themselves a mountain to climb as a poor clearance from the new keeper went straight to a Boston player and despite several blocks the ball was eventually put in the net by Layton Maddison on 3 minutes.

Worse was to follow as Fraser Bayliss doubled the advantage on 7 minutes.

Yellows fans could be forgiven at this point for thinking it was going the same way as the Belper game but credit to the lads who began to get a foothold in the game. Czerwak had a shot from distance and then Crawford produced a save from the keeper from Rawsons cross. 

Boston were content to soak up the pressure and hit Hucknall on the break and both sides had half chances as the half progressed. 

Hucknall had a golden chance to reduce the arrears just before half time when Czerwaks ball across the 6 yard box was met by Crawford who put the ball wide of a near open goal.

Hucknall started the second half brightly but on a quick break towle received a yellow for stopping the attack. 

Crawford then made up for his earlier miss with a wonder strike from just inside the Boston half. Spotting the home keeper way off his line he launched the ball over him and into the net for an early goal of the season contender. 

Hucknall were giving it a good go and Towle headed just wide and then Crawford had another effort over the bar. Wilson then received a caution before Short fired an effort just wide. Hucknall then had a series of corners but nothing came of them. 

Hucknall's determined effort received a mortal blow when Brad Lathall was given a straight red by referee Mills for dangerous play. The ball was played into Lathall who spun to play the ball on. The Boston player was stooping to head the ball but Lathall caught him with a boot which referee Mills deemed to be intentional.

It certainly knocked the wind out of Hucknall's sails and it wasn't a surprise when Boston got the killer goal to wrap up the points. Substitute Adams scoring the goal. 

There was still time for a Boston striker to completely wipe out Hucknall's goalkeeper who was replaced in the goal by Niall Towle with lane replacing the shaken keeper.

The final whistle went but unlike the other games this season there was a genuine belief that Hucknall deserved something from the game and may well have done but for the red card.

Next up is a tough looking encounter at home to Sherwood Colliery who sit top of the table with two other teams with unblemished records. It also sees the return to the RM of four of last seasons play off heroes who have undoubtedly been missed but the new boys need to stand up and be counted.

Hucknall look to upset the Tea Party in Boston visit

 BOSTON TOWN V HUCKNALL TOWN

UCL PREM NORTH 

SATURDAY 12TH AUGUST 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall make another long journey this time to Boston on Saturday as they look for that elusive victory that they hope will kick start their season. 

Boston also find themselves with a single point from the two league games played and also bowed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle albeit on penalties against last seasons UCL Prem North champions Anstey Nomads after a 2 2 draw in the replay.

Boston are a well established step 5 side and last season saw them finish in a creditable 6th with a record of

played 38 winning 19 drawing 10 and losing 9 with a goal difference of plus 12

Yellows have had encounters with Boston in the past so they are no strangers to us though it's been a while since we last met.

Hucknall will go into the game after disappointing displays against Belper and Newark and will be looking for a much better performance on Saturday.

useful links: 

address: Tattershall Road, Boston, Lincolnshire, PE21 9LR

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BostonTownFC1964/?locale=en_GB

twitter: https://twitter.com/bostontownfc?lang=en

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

Weather forecast: cloudy with showers during the game

Late goals to no avail as Yellows exit FA Cup at the first hurdle

 NEWARK & SHERWOOD 3 HUCKNALL TOWN 2

FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND

TUES 8TH AUGUST 7.45 KO

TEAMS

NEWARK: 1 ROSS WOOLLEY 2 RYAN EBANKS 3 RYLEY THOMPSON 4 LIAM MAYS 5 MARK DUDLEY 6 SAM KING 7 LUKE WHITE 8 KACPER RAJTER 9TOBY WHITE 10 TOM JONES 11 KIAN SKETCHLEY

USED SUBS: JONATHAN D'LARYEA, KOLE LAMBERT, KYLE ONYON

HUCKNALL: 1 MITCH LEIVERS 2 JAMIE CRAWFORD 3 OLI BROWN 4 KAI WILSON 5 AARON SHORT (CAPT) 6 BILLY BROOKS 7 EMERAUDE KABONGO 8 BRAD LATHALL 9 DILLON RAWSON 10 NIALL TOWLE 11 NATHAN KELLY

USED SUBS: MICHAEL BANISTER, LOUIS CZERWAK, TREVELL LINDO

ATT: 228

Hucknall bowed out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle with another largely disappointing display  where they left them selves with a mountain to climb for the second game running.

With a threadbare team to pick from the Yellows could only announce three subs including player coach Michael Banister.

The home side having also had a poor start in the league were looking for improvement themselves and started how they meant to go on. 

White's free kick hit the crossbar after only 4 mins, the resulting rebound being deflected for a corner which came to nothing.

The reprieve was short lived as Newark took the lead on 11 mins, Mark Dudley heading home a Luke White free kick.

It was all Newark and keeper Leivers produced a great save on 14 mins from a Mays header.again the reprieve was shortlived as on 19 mins the hosts doubled their lead when Luke White turned in a Sketchley cross.

Leivers then saved a long range shot from Jones as Newark looked for more.

Hucknall it has to be said were once again very poor and seemed to lack ideas and were grateful to be only 2 down at half time. 

Any hopes of an Hucknall comeback were seemingly short lived as Newark made it 3 two mins into the second half. Sketchley producing a fine finish after being played through by Mays. 

At this point it was a case of how big the defeat for Hucknall would be as Mays should have done better after a poor kick out from Leivers but his shot drifted wide of the open goal.

On the hour mark Manager Ingle made a change with Kelly being replaced by Czerwak.

64 minutes saw a landmark moment in the game for Hucknall as they actually produced a shot which went into the side netting from Towle. 

A minute later Sketchley provided a moment of skill but his shot went wide. 

&0 minutes saw the introduction of Banister for Kabongo and the change in the game was there for all to see as at last Hucknall had a calm head in there. I really can't fault the lads efforts but it really had been a case of them running around like headless chickens up until this point.

Jamie Crawford was booked on 75 mins joining Rawson and Towle in the Yellow card club.

Crawford was replaced by Lindo on 75 mins.

Whether it was the home side tiring as they had put a lot of effort in or the introduction of Banister Hucknall suddenly came into the game which should have been out of sight for them.

A lot of the away support had long gone after seeing enough when Hucknall were awarded a penalty on 83 mins.a minute after Newark had spurned yet another chance when Onyon's lob went just wide. 

Towle putting the penalty away after a foul in the box.

What surely was only a consolation was turned into concern for the home side as Towle prodded home from close range 2 minutes later.

However the home side ran the clock down well for the 5 mins of added on time and Hucknall never found a chance to draw level.

Very much like the Belper game last week it gave Hucknall food for thought. Unlike last week the lads kept going to make a game of it. The introduction of an experienced player helped no end.

Town have another long trip on Saturday when they travel to Boston Town still looking for that elusive victory.

Congratulations to Newark who now host  Harborough Town on the 19th August

Yellows make a welcome return to the FA Cup

NEWARK AND SHERWOOD FC V HUCKNALL TOWN

FA CUP EXTRA PRELIMINARY ROUND

SATURDAY 5TH AUGUST 2023 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall will be looking to bounce back after Wednesdays disappointing defeat at the hands of Belper United at Eastwood CFC's ground. 

Our opponents Newark have also tasted defeat to the same opposition on the opening day losing 2 1 at home. Strangely Newark also conceded 5 goals on Wednesday night in defeat at Melton town although they did get a consolation goal. 

Newark's nick name is the Highwaymen but it ought to be the name changes. The roots of the club lie in the formation of Worthington Simpsons FC who played in the Notts Alliance for many years including against Hucknall when they were the Colliery Welfare side.

In 1998 they changed name to IDP Newark and 3 years later became Newark Flowserve and in 2020 just became Newark. 2022 saw them become Newark and Sherwood Fc and also move to their current home ground sharing with Collingham FC at their Station Road home.

They have been members of the UCL premier North since the 21-22 season.

Last season saw them finished a respectable 8th with a record of

Played 38 winning 17 drawing 11 and losing 10 with a goal difference of plus 24. 

They also won the Notts Senior cup beating Carlton Town 3 2 in the final.

Hucknall will go into the game with concerns about Kieron Lane who limped off late in the game on Wednesday but will be hoping to put the defeat behind them and progress to the next round. A draw will see a replay at the RM on Tuesday night.

Useful links:

Address: Station Rd, Collingham, Newark NG23 7RA

Website: https://www.nsufc.co.uk/default.aspx

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheHighwayMen_

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

Weather Forecast: pissing it down take a brolly

 

Yellows given harsh step 5 lesson

 BELPER UNIED 5 HUCKNALL TOWN 0

UCL PREMIER NORTH

WEDS AUGUST 2ND 2023 19.45 KO

MATCH REPORT

TEAMS

BELPER:Harvey Woodward, Dave Leigh, Jacob Ferdinand, Marc Strzyzewski, Oliver Simpson, Jordan Godfrey, Martin Smyth, Jack Tyson, Morgan Boyle, Dylan Garnett, Richard Hanslow

Subs: Lee Cranstone, Thomas, Josh Gregory, Pharrell Waite

HUCKNALL: 1 Mitch Leivers 2 Jamie Crawford 3 Kieron Lane 4 Kai Wilson 5 Aaron Short (Capt) 6 Billy Brooks 7 Brad Lathall 8 Emeraude Kabonga 9 Niall Towle 10 Joe Ashurst 11 Dillon Rawson

Subs: Oli Brown Louis Czerwak Fin Whyte Nathan Kelly

officials: Lewis Hunt Mick Newton Nicky Lees

Att: 180

The harsh realities of football at Step 5 came home to roost as despite a lot of effort defensive mistakes were punished and very little was achieved up front as Belper cantered to victory.

The Yellows (playing in their Blue away kit) actually started quite brightly but were undone after just 5 minutes when Martin Smyth produced a spectacular finish from around 40 yards catching the visiting keeper in no mans land with it's precision.

Worse was to follow ten minutes later despite Hucknall having a fair share of the possession but creating very little. A free header from close range doubling Belper's advantage.

Hucknall finally had a chance on 18 minutes but Towle's shot from an acute angle was easily dealt with. 

The hosts benefitted from another defensive mistake when Kabongo's suicidal back pass was intercepted by Hanslow who slotted past Leivers to make it 3 nil after 23 minutes.

Leivers then produced a decent save to keep the score to 3 with Belpers number 5 being sin binned for dissent. 

The extra man provided the visitors with their best spell of the game with Ashurst's header coming back of the post when it looked destined to go in. Lathall then saw his drive go wide of the post. 

The away support were surprised that no changes were made at half time. Again despite a lot of effort and possession Hucknall failed to make chances and were dealt a further blow when Belper were awarded a penalty for handball 2 minutes after Kelly had replaced Towle. The award seemed harsh but there seemed to be no complaints from the Yellows. Hanslow stepped up and scored the spot kick to make it 4 nil.

Czerwak replaced Kabongo and Brown replaced Wilson but it was to no avail as Tyson madeit five for the hosts on 83 minutes. To make things worse fore Hucknall Lane came out second best in a tackle and had to limp off being replaced by Whyte. 

A lot of the away support had long gone by the time the final whistle went and Hucknall will have to lick their wounds and respond on Saturday when the club return to the FA Cup after a few years absence.

Belper next up for Yellows

 BELPER UNITED V HUCKNALL TOWN

UCL PREMIER DIVISION NORTH

WEDS 2ND AUGUST 2023 07.45 KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall make the short trip to Eastwood which is Belper's new home for their first away game of the new campaign. 

While the Yellows drew at home Belper had a fine away victory at Newark and Sherwood on Saturday and will provide stern opposition on Wednesday night. 

Belper are no strangers to Hucknall but have established themselves at Step 5 finishing a comfortable 14th last season with a record of

played 38 winning 11 drawing 10 and losing 17 with a goal difference of minus 25

Hucknall go into the game on the back of a hard earned point at home to Wisbech with the substitutions changed the direction of the game giving the management food for thought in picking the side on Wednesday. 

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weather forecast: light cloud and a gentle breeze

Kelly gets his eye in as Hucknall battle for a point

 HUCKNALL TOWN 1 WISBECH TOWN 1

UCL PREMIER NORTH

SAT 29TH JULY 23 5 PM KO

MATCH REPORT

TEAMS

Hucknall Town: 1 Mitch Leivers 2 Jamie Crawford 3 Kieron Lane 4 Sam Sims 5 Aaron Short (capt) 6 Billy Brooks 7 Brad Lathall 8 Kai Wilson 9 Niall Towle 10 Joe Ashurst 11 Louis Czerwak

Subs: Brown, Rawson, Whyte, Kabongo, Kelly

Wisbech Town: 1 Charlie Congreve 2 Sisa Tuntulwana 3 Owen Howard 4 Archie Wallace 5 Lee Briggs 6 Danny Brooks 7 Arun Jones 8 Cenk Acar 9 Rob Conyard 10 Toby Allen 11 Amir Ward

Subs: Perkins, Kacirek, Glusko, Kortua

Officials: Luke Thorn, Gavin Rice, Lawrence Chapman

Attendance: 688

An equaliser from debutant Nathan Kelly earned Hucknall a share of the spoils in a tense encounter with a resilient Wisbech Town

A big crowd boosted by being part of the UCL ground hoppers weekend saw the Yellows kick off their Step 5 campaign at the unusual kick off time of 5 pm.

Hucknall started with debutant Mitch Leivers in goal on loan from Long Eaton and another debutant at number 11 Louis Czerwak. £ new players were also on the bench. Nathan Kelly, Dillon Rawson and Emeraude Kabongo.

Hucknall started the brighter withLathall whipping in a cross early doors but no one was there to capitalise. Towle then put the ball over when played through by Brooks. 

Wisbech had their first sighter on goal when Allen shot wide of the home goal from 25 yards and the same player put the ball wide from close range on 16 mins.

Hucknall went close when Ashurst's shot was deflected narrowly wide for a cornerwhich came to nothing. 

22 minutes brought the opening goal and it went the way of the visitors. Conyard went through on goal and the referee decided to award a penalty adjudging that the home keeper had brought the Wisbech player down. Conyard got up and converted the spot kick.

The goal buoyed the visitors and Crawford had to head off the line from the lively Allen.

On the half hour mark home captain Short and goal scorer Conyard were booked after an altercation. Kai Wilson saw yellow on 38 for a late tackle on Acar as the game threatened to get nasty.

The referee had his first big decision to make on 42 minutes as Archie Wallace was only given a yellow when bringing down Lathall with the keeper stranded. The home crowd looking fora red to be shown. The resulting free kick from Towle lacked power and was easily saved.

Jamie Crawford joined the yellow card club just before half time for a late tackle on Ward although he appeared to win the ball cleanly.

What ever was said in the Wisbech dressing room at half time certainly had an affect as the visitors had their best period of the game. Leivers made a great save from Allen and then the same player had a shot deflected just wide.

Manager Andy Ingle made his first change taking off Sims and bringing on Kabongo. 

The visitors had the ball in the net but the flag had gone up way before the ball hit the net. 

Towle and Czerwak were replaced by Kelly and Rawson on 70 minutes and this proved to be inspired as all 3 substitutes made a difference to the Yellows attack. 

Rawson immediately got a good cross in from the left which eluded everyone but was a sign of intent. That intent bore fruition when the move of the game saw the hosts equalise. Rawsons fine cross was collected by Kelly with his back to goal who turned and smashed the ball home from 8 yards.

With 15 minutes left the home crowd were up for it and sensed a victory but in fairness it was the visitors who came closet to a winning goal with Conyard lashing over and Jones hitting the ball into the side netting. Broooks also went close near the end but Leivers dealt with his free kick. 

In the end Hucknall were satisfied to get a point on the board whilst the visitors will feel a tad unlucky not to have claimed all 3.

The yellows next league game is away to Belper United at Eastwood's ground this Wednesday night.

Hucknall Open New Campaign At Home to the Fenmen

 HUCKNALL TOWN V WISBECH TOWN

UCL PREMIER DIVISION NORTH 

SATURDAY 29.07.23 5 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall begin life at step 5 with a home encounter against Wisbech Town which I believe is our first encounter with the Fenmen who face a long trip from Cambridgeshire for a slightly unusual kick off time of 5 pm thanks to the fixture being included in the UCL's ground hop weekend.

Wisbech finished in 11th spot last season with a record of 

played 38 winning 16 drawing 5 and losing 17 and a goal difference of minus 21

Wisbech have had a very similar Pre season to the Yellows in winning their first fixture but then failing to win again. Of course it's really difficult to put any value on these games as what matters is the performance on the opening league game.

According to the squad section on their website they have 6 strikers to choose from including Chris Assambalonga the brother of ex Forest striker Brett.

Hucknall go into the game on the back of a challenging pre season which has seen lack lustre displays and some really poor defending but has given the management team a chance to try out a few things and players ahead of this first league fixture.

There's no doubting that the Yellows have lost some quality players with Westcarr, Knight, Kinnerley and Tomlinson all departing to Sherwood Colliery. In the end Oli Brown has stayed which in my opinion is good news and we have a new goalkeeper on loan from Long Eaton United in Mitch Leivers.

Also joining are defender Dylan Rawson, Midfield/forward Louis Czerwak, Midfield Emeraude Kabongo (on loan from Carlton) and a new forward line on Nathan Kelly, Jon Jebbison and Niall Towle who was with us last season.

We welcome all the new players and hope they have a happy and successful time at the RM Stadium.

Unfortunately another new signing Ellis Evans has had to take an extended break from football due to medical reasons and Aaron Lamb is out for the season with an ACL injury picked up in the play off final victory. We wish both players well for the future and hopefully will see both players in a Yellows shirt in the future.

Anyway here's to a good game played in the right spirit as the roller coaster of another season begins.

HUCKNALL TOWN SEASON 2023/24 PREVIEW

 HUCKNALL TOWN FC

UCL PREMIER DIVISION NORTH

SEASON 2023/24 PREVIEW

Ten years after the club took the unpopular but necessary decision to drop into the Central Midlands League Hucknall return to Step 5 football. The penalty shoot out victories in the Division 1 play offs sees the Yellows in the UCL Premier South division for the coming campaign.

This is a big step up for the club and will see us up against some old foes from out East Midland Counties days. The likes of Sherwood Colliery, Heanor Town, Kimberley MWFC and Eastwood CFC plus Belper United from our Central Midlands encounters. 

Of these clubs last season Sherwood were the most successful finishing 7th and will surely be looking to finish higher than that this time around. Added spice our fixtures with them as all 4 players who left the club since the play off final have taken up roots at Debdale lane. Craig Westcarr, Kieran Knight, Louis Kinnerley and our fans player of last season Louis Tomlinson. Whilst it's disappointing to lose players of this calibre especially to a divisional rival that's football and we wish them all the best for the future.

Kimberley finished 10th in their debut season at step 5 and again I think they will be looking at a higher placed finish this time around.

Heanor and Belper finished 13th and 14th respectively and I'm sure both will be looking at higher finishes after a disappointing season last time around. Belper have a new home this season in sharing the facilities of Eastwood CFC and are indeed Hucknall's first away fixture of the season.

Eastwood will surely do better than finishing 16th and will have no intention of flirting with relegation this time around and I think they could be the surprise package this season if they can keep their players happy.

The placings of our local rivals gives an indication of how tough this league will be because they all have good squads and yet the teams from outside our local area had the upper hand league wise last season.

A very good Anstey Nomads side won the title by 11 points and were promoted to Step 4 alongside Quorn who finished runners up 

Loughborough Students finished third after starting off well but faded away at the end. They will be up there again as will Melton Town, Sleaford Town and Boston Town who all finished above Sherwood. 

Newark and Sherwood finished in 8th. Last seasons Notts Senior Cup winners are my tip for the title and Hucknall face a very difficult looking FA Cup game at Collingham on the 5th August.

Everyone at Hucknall were waiting for the Skegness Town away fixture date and though it's January 6th there will be a good Yellows following for that one.

Skegness finished just above Kimberley in 9th and Hucknall's first visitors Wisbech Town finished just below Kimberley in 11th.

Wisbech are a team I know very little about and I will do a separate match preview for our opening game. 

Making up the 18 teams in the division are other old rivals in AFC Mansfield who finished just above the relegation zone last season in 18th and Lincoln United who were relegated from the NPL Div 1 East last season. Pinchbeck united, Deeping Rangers and Promoted Ashby Ivanhoe are the other teams involved.

Where will we finish? I personally will be happy with a mid table finish. Pre season has been a bit of a mixed bag where we have not been great in all honesty giving away some really sloppy goals. The need to tighten that defence up will be paramount to where we finish. There really are no whipping boys in this division and goals will be fewer than recent seasons. We need a solid start and the fans can do their part in getting behind the team. There will be set backs and we may well suffer some heavy defeats along the way and it's how we respond to those that may be key. I still think we have the makings of a decent side with the new players coming in but I don't think they have totally gelled into a unit yet and better is to come. Only one team gets relegated and I honestly believe we are better than that.

Anything above half way would be a bonus in my humble opinion.

Anyway here's to a good season and hopefully some good performances from the Yellows.