REASON TO BE CHEERFUL AS YELLOWS COME FROM BEHIND TWICE TO DRAW WITH CLAY CROSS

 

HUCKNALL TOWN 2 CLAY CROSS TOWN 2

GCE HIRE FLEET UCL PREMIER NORTH 

SATURDAY 27TH DECEMBER 2025

MATCH REPORT

A composed finish from Dylan Reason gave Hucknall Town a share of the spoils against a very good Clay Cross outfit who twice led before being pegged back by the Yellows.

TEAMS AND OFFICIALS: FROM THE OFFICIAL TEAM SHEET:

ATTENDANCE: 270

Hucknall lined up with new signing Ferdinand Bartley going straight into the side with Reece Sugars suspended. Brad Lathall was named on the bench as he recovers from his injury, one of only 3 subs named. Clay Cross named ex Yellows. goal keeper Frankie Shepard and Raife Poplar in their line up.

The first quarter of the game was scrappy with the visitors having the lions share of the possession and Hucknall looking to counter on the break. 

23 minutes saw Clay Cross deservedly take the lead. Alex Marshall's tight angled shot hitting the underside of the bar and ending up in the net.

The lead lasted only five minutes when Mahzi Simmons was upended in the box after a great run. Joey Ashurst stepped up and beat Shepard to his left to equalise.

Hucknall were buoyed by the equaliser and had a decent spell of possession with Dylan Reason catching the eye latching on to long balls over the top of midfield.

Just when it looked like being level at half time Hucknall old boy Raife Poplar picked up the ball outside the box and his low drive found the corner of the net past the despairing dive of Smith-Eccles.

Half Time : Hucknall 1 Clay Cross 2

Hucknall came out in determined mood and only had to wait 2 minutes into the half to find another equaliser. Another long ball was controlled by Reason who ran into the box and supplied a composed finish past Shepard. A really good goal from the youngster.

Aarron Coyle then saw a speculative effort go just wide from distance.

55 mins saw captain Short go off for Myles for an apparent trapped nerve issue. 

Clay Cross responded by looking for a winner and the home keeper Smith-Eccles produced a fine save from close range to keep the scores level on 58 minutes. A couple of minutes after he was down for quite a while but was able to carry on after treatment.

65 mins saw Wells replace Tefera.

Clay Cross were in no mood to settle for a draw and this made for an exciting end to proceedings. Reason again went close on 76 minutes but Shepard made a good save.

Both keepers were kept busy with Smith-Eccles saving well on his line and Shepard having to tip over a cross.

Right at the death Smith-Eccles was on hand again to make a superb save and it was enough to seal a point for the Yellows. In my opinion a fair result but Clay Cross probably edged the contest without finding a winner.

My man of the match for the Yellows was Dylan Reason for his great finish and all round performance. Goal keeper Smith-Eccles also in the frame and i thought Bartley did well on his debut performance for the Yellows.

So that brings football for the Yellows to a close for 2025 and we begin 2026 with a visit to Blackstones looking to avenge our seasons opening day defeat at the RM. 

Since the game Hucknall have brought in midfielder Dan Tuck from Kimberley MWFC. Welcome to the Yellows Dan.