HUCKNALL TOWN 3 GEDLING MWFC 3
UCL DIVISION 1 WEDS SEPT 1ST 2021 19.45 KO
MATCH REPORT
TEAMS
HUCKNALL TOWN: 1 Jake Pearson 2 Courtney Bartley 3 Cayne Maxwell 4 Sam Sims 5 Lenny Jenkins 6 Jordan Phillips 7 Brad Lathall 8 Tom Hubbard 9 Eugene Francis 10 Craig Westcarr 11 Louis Kinnerley
Used Subs: Jamie Crawford, Adam Nelson and Joe Butler
GEDLING MWFC: Matt Simpson, Dwayne Brown, Oliver Papworth, Felix Hogg, Daniel Dixon, Kieron Lane, Niall Hylton, Josh Thornton, Ruben Wiggins-Thomas, Greg Tempest, Paulo Piliero
Used Subs: Kieron Harrison, Latrell Paterson and Zee Sebanda
Attendance 175
Hucknall were blitzed with three goals inside 6 minutes early in the first half to leave them with a mountain to climb. The fact that they climbed the mountain and nearly went over the other side is of tremendous credit to the players. Had Gedling put another one in during their blitz and they had chances to it might have been a mountain to high.
Courtney Bartley returned at right back with Banister dropping to the bench. Captain Aaron Short was still missing. Brad Lathall also returned with Oli Brown dropping to the bench'
Hucknall actually started brightly and should have done better with 2 early chances. Eugene Francis put the ball just wide when through on goal in the 3rd minute and then Jordan Phillips headed just over a couple of minutes later.
Wether Hucknall got over confident with the good start is open for debate but they certainly weren't expecting what happened for the next ten minutes.
First Pearson in the home goal saved a shot from Hylton on 8 minutes and then punched away a mistimed shot from Thornton a minute later.
Thornton wasn't to be denied on 11 minutes when putting the visitors ahead, a nice finish just inside the area from Hyltons pass.
Before Hucknall had time to recover the visitors made it 2 nil with Tempest scoring with a great free kick thet hit the underside of the bar on it's way in. Jordan Phillips was perhaps fortunate to only see yellow foe the free kick that led to the goal as he appeared to be the last man.
As if that wasn't enough ex yellow Wiggins-Thomas made it 3 moments later smashing the ball home to make it 3 goals in 6 minutes.
Incredibly it could have been 4 moments later as the same player had his shot blocked and then Pearson made a good stop when Wiggins-Thomas was cleaslotted the ball home.n through, Had that gone in who knows.
It s been a long long time since I've witnessed Hucknall looking so shell shocked but somehow they managed to claw their way back into the game.
They had the ball in the net but Maxwell was well off side despite the fine finish.
Keeper Simpson then made a good save as the hosts built some momentum.
This was rewarded when Westcarr used all his experience and drew a foul out of the defender to earn the hosts a penalty. Westcarr himself despatched the resulting kick into the top corner.
Simpson then produced a good instinctive save when tipping over a header from a corner.
Wiggins-Thomas then missed a glorious opportunity to make it 4 when it looked easier to score though Pearson did well to stand tall the shot going just wide.
Just before the half ended Hucknall got another goal back. Simpson could only parry a shot in front of himself and Jordan Phillips slotted the ball home from six yards to bring an incredible half to a close.
Although the second half could not live up to the first Hucknall came out looking for the equaliser. Danny Dixon made a good block to deny the hosts an equaliser.
It wasn't all Hucknall though and ex Yellow Hogg should have done better rather than heading straight at Pearson.
Another moment of controversy occurred on the hour mark when Francis appeared to be fouled in the area but his and the crowds appeals were ignored by the official.
Gedlings Tempest then had a provided a cross which hit a defender forcing Pearson into a good save.
Hucknall then equalised in controversial style. Hucknall were pressing and as Jordan phillips hit the deck the ball hit his arm which was raised. As the visitors appealed the ball fell to Francis who's shot lacked power but rolled into the net with the defence static.
The visitors were incensed that the goal stood and I have to be honest I think they had a right to be but I was also convinced Eugene Francis incident was a penalty so both teams had grievances with the official.
As it was the hosts were level and on 70 minutes nearly went in front when Westcarr's lob over the advanced Simpson looked to be going in but hit the post and went to safety.
Francis then went close with a curling effort on the edge of the area that went just over.
Wiggins-Thomas then had a chance to claim the points for Gedling but he shot straight at Pearson.
The final whistle went to end a titanic encounter and I think a draw was a fair result as either side could have won it but neither did.
It's made for a very interesting FA Vase tie in 9 days time when the two teams battle it out for a place in the next round.
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