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Facebook: way out of date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. 

useful links:

Belper United Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belper_United_F.C.

 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063347251890

twitter: https://twitter.com/BelperUnited

weather forecast: light cloud and a gentle breeze