YELLOWS LOSE AGAIN AT THE RM AS BELPER ARE SPOT ON

 HUCKNALL TOWN 0 BELPER UNITED 1

GCE HIRE FLEET UCL PREMIER NORTH

SATURDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2025 15.00 KO

MATCH REPORT

TEAMS:

HUCKNALL TOWN:         BELPER UNITED:

OFFICIALS:

Stuart Mallows, Michal Mrozek, Christopher Hughes

ATTENDANCE: 204

Hucknall were dealt their 6th home league defeat of the season as a 77th minute penalty for the visitors proved decisive.

Hucknall made one change from the starting eleven at Harrowby as Joe Ashurst replaced CJ Dunkley who dropped to the bench. 

Belper had ex Yellow Daniel Odunaiya in their starting eleven.

The first half was pretty much a non event with both teams defending well and the home faithful had to wait until the 37th minute for the first effort on goal. Aaron Coyle's well hit shot was well saved by Fryatt in the Belper goal but lower or higher the shot would have found the net. Belper came into the game more after that chance but Smith-Eccles wasn't troubled in the home goal though Dillon Rawson had to be alert to clear off the line on 42 minutes.

Half Time: Hucknall 0 Belper United 0

Two minutes after the restart Sugars wnt close from an Ashurst corner but it was just wide. That was pretty much the only highlight for the Yellows as Belper began to win the physical battles.

Changes were made on 62 minutes with Dunkley and Wells replacing Tefera and Lindo.

The game seemed to be heading for a stalemate as neither keeper was being troubled but Belper broke quickly down the right and Sugars in a desperate attempt to win the ball only succeeded in bringing the Belper player down in the area to give the visitors a penalty.

Smith-Eccles dived the right way but was beaten by the pace and placement of the penalty by Belper's player/manager Alex Steadman.

A further change was made by Hucknall on 81 minutes when Short replaced Simmons but despite plenty of effort by the Yellows the away goal remained unthreatened and Belper returned home with the points.

This was Belper's 4th league win on the bounce and they joined the yellows on 26 points but having played a game less. Hucknall dropped out of the play off spots to 6th but have played more games than any of the 5 teams above them. No midweek game for the Yellows with a visit to Skegness waiting next Saturday where Hucknall will be looking to maintain their fine away form. Quite why the home form is so disappointing is open to debate but surely needs to improve if a play off push is to be maintained.

Taylor Jaine was awarded the Man of the Match and Cash Rowe the Player of the Month for October.