Hucknall suffer a Friday 13th Haunting

 WEST BRIDGFORD 3 HUCKNALL TOWN 1

UCL DIV 1

FRIDAY 13TH AUGUST 2021 19.45 KO

MATCH REPORT

Hucknall old boy Matt'Cabbage'Brian came back to haunt his old team mates with a goal and an assist as West Bridgford's game plan of contain and break quickly worked to a tee against an Hucknall team yet to find their best form this season.

Hucknall started brightly with Craig Westcarr linking up well with both Eugene Francis and Courtney Bartley as the Yellows pressed forward. The hosts stemmed the flow and though the Yellows enjoyed possession the final ball lacked quality. 

Just as things were looking quite comfortable a clearance from Hucknall's keeper Pearson lacked direction and distance and went straight to a home player who crossed to Brian who then headed home from 6 yards giving Pearson no chance to redeem himself.

Hucknall responded with Francis earning his side a free kick 25 yards out being hauled back by the defender who was lucky not to see yellow. Sam Sims hit a great free kick into the bottom left corner but the home side will surely rue only having a 3 man wall.

The game then settled into a pattern of Hucknall having the ball with no real end product and the hosts content to punish any lapses with quick breaks. This proved to be Hucknall's undoing as from one of these breaks Brian turned provider crossing for Sweeting to turn the ball into the net.

It was a relief to the away following when Brian left the field shortly after through an injury.

The second half followed the same pattern with Hucknall continuing to have most of the possession but again resolute defending and good handling by the home keeper kept Hucknall at bay. 

West Bridgford put the game to bed with a killer third goal when the away defence was again beaten for pace allowing Kelly to finish past Pearson. 

Hucknall made changes trying to get back into the game and at last testing the home keeper but the shots lacked power and direction,

The home team then missed a chance that looked easier to get on target than miss and then Pearson again made a poor clearance but redeemed himself with an excellent save.

A deserved victory for the home side who looked solid at the back and pacey up front. Hucknall will be disappointed that though they bossed possession the final ball was very poor. 

Hucknall now move on to a home game against Radford on Wednesday.