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.