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.