HUCKNALL'S INJURY WOES WORSEN AS THEY EXIT THE VASE

 FA VASE SECOND QUALIFYING ROUND

LUTTERWORTH TOWN 3 HUCKNALL TOWN 2

SATURDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER 2025 15.00 KO

MATCH REPORT

Teams: Lutterworth Town:

number 2 was Dylan Parish not Jared Acton who was already number 5

Hucknall Town: 

attendance: 90

Hucknall already without the services of Niall Towle, Sam Sims, Brad Lathall and CJ Dunkley had to replace two centre backs and had the third forced to carry on playing all in the first half and despite an heroic effort went out of the FA Vase to a goal for the hosts late into added on time. 

As early as the first minute Captain Aaron Short went down injured and despite trying to carry on was replaced by Mahzi Smmon's a minute later.

Despite this Hucknall started quite brightly and took the lead on 14 minutes. Kyle Pemberton rising highest at the far post to head the ball home. This followed an Ashurst corner which found Sugar's who delivered into the box for Pemberton to score.

Shepard in the Hucknall goal had very little to do but the hosts had a corner in the 34th minute and once again this proved to be Hucknall's undoing. The corner was played to the near post to be flicked on by Dylan Parish which flew into the net to restore parity.

38 minutes saw another injury this time to Reece Sugars who was replaced by Myles.

Both teams exchanged corners in the run up to half time but it remained even. On the half time whistle it was noticed that Pemberton was limping badly.

Half Time Lutterworth 1 Hucknall 1

Pemberton came out for the second half and soldiered on. 

Luis Parkes had the first effort of the half being played through by Ashurst with Oyi-Olaye playing a lovely dummy. Parkes shot straight at ex yellows keeper Jeffrey.

Jeffrey was in action again on 54 saving a shot from Belgrave. 

Lutterworth then had a period of possession with Pemberton thwarting an attack but conceding a corner. The corner was cleared as was a long throw into the box which Belgrave dealt with. Sheperd then produced a good save from a close range shot before Hucknall cleared another corner.

It was a little against the run of play when Hucknall took the lead on 72 minutes. Luis Parkes had a shot which came back off the post but fell nicely to Brad Wells to finish.

As play approached the last ten minutes Hucknall's efforts to cover for the missing centrebacks began to take its toll and the host's once again equalized when Liam read who had replaced Jake Brown finished off well after Sheperds goal kick was intercepted.

Hucknall responded by earning a corner and then a dangerous looking free kick. Parkes's shot came back off the wall. The ball fell to Oyi-Olaye who found Wells who put the ball over from a good position. 

The game became very open with Sheperd producing a fine save as Lutterworth looked for a winner. 

Wells then had a long range shot which flew just wide. 

88 mins saw Jeffrey make the best save of the game just when it looked like Oyi-Olaye would score. 

It proved to be a vital save as Hucknall visibly tired allowing the hosts a period of possession in added on time. Pemberton did well to clear for a corner which was headed out for a throw. The initial throw was dealt with but was picked up by Lutterworth who played Read through on goal. Read's shot gave Sheperd no chance and nestled in the net to give the host's the winner in the 4th minute of added on time.

There was still time for Hucknall respond but the linesman who had been in the home defence's pocket all game raised his flag for the umpteenth time and that was the end of Hucknall's vase run for this season. 

Can't fault the efforts of the lads given the circumstances but we are really suffering with injuries now and selection for Tuesday game versus Newark & Sherwood (at Harrowby fc) will be interesting. 

Good Luck to Lutterworth Town in the next Round and particularly our ex keeper Luke Jeffrey who certainly played his part in our defeat.