HUCKNALL WIN AND KEEP A CLEAN SHEET

 HUCKNALL TOWN 3 BOURNE TOWN 0

UCL DIV 1 SAT SEPT 4TH 2021 3 PM KO

MATCH REPORT

TEAMS: 

HUCKNALL: 1 Keaton Sharpe 2 Courtney Bartley 3 Oli Brown 4 Sam sims 5 Lenny Jenkins 6 Jordan Phillips 7 Cayne Maxwell 8 Michael Banister(capt) 9 Eugene Francis 10 Craig westcarr 11 Jamie Crawford

Subs: Adam Nelson, Joe Ashurst, Brad Lathall, Louis Kinnerley and Tom Hubbard

BOURNE TOWN: 1 Jack Swales 2 Zak Dunn 3 Dan Wilson 4 Andrew Moss 5 Ben Moss 6 Panten Herbie(capt)7 Corey Newman 8 Harry Fitzjohn 9 Harry Brookes 10 Thomas Klinkovics 11 Tommy Cardell

Subs: Jack Boteril, Ollie Troth, Dan Mason and Kyle Evans

Match Officials: John Stevens, Steven Sears and Edward Storey

ATT: 204

Goals from Jordan Phillips, Cayne Maxwell and Adam Nelson saw Hucknall to a comfortable victory over visitors Bourne Town.

Michael Banister took the captains armband in the continued absence of Aaron Short who is resting a persistent knee injury. Tom Hubbard dropping to the bench as did Louis Kinnerley as Jamie Crawford started number 11. Joe Ashurst making a welcome return to the subs bench. Joe Butler was missing due to a dead leg sustained on Weds but should be up for selection mid week.

As in the mid week game v Gedling Hucknall made a bright start and nearly took the lead in the first minute when Jamie Crawford had a shot which hit the post.

Westcarr and then Francis had shots as Hucknall pressed. 

As with the Gedling game Hucknall didn't capitalise on the early chances and the visitors nearly made them pay when Klinkovics had his shot saved by Sharpe. 

Hucknall though stood tall and began to control the half. Westcarr, Francis and Banister all went close before Hucknall finally got the goal they deserved. Cayne Maxwell  had a fine header hit the bar. Jordan Phillips was on hand to head in the rebound picking up the pieces just like Wednesday's goal.

Hucknall continued to press and Crawford should have done better but dragged his shot wide when through on goal.

Half time came and the hosts must have wondered how it was only a one goal lead.

Hucknall didn't have to wait long for a second goal and it was the impressive Maxwell who provided it with a superb header from Oli Browns excellent cross which gave the keeper no chance. 

Bourne responded and Klinkovics nodded wide when he should have done better. 

Hucknall then went close when Bartleys cross had to be tipped over the bar by Swales. Joe Ashurst came on for Maxwell to a round of applause both for Maxwell's efforts and the return of a fans favourite.

Phillips and Crawford then had shots which failed to hit the target before Banister's header went just wide. 

Eugene Francis was then applauded off as he was replaced by Adam Nelson.

Bourne were still a threat though and captain Herbie went close from a corner but headed wide.

Banister then got injured in making a tackle and for a while there was concern. Lathall replaced him but I understand the injury isn't to bad but Banister might miss the mid week game.

The game went into a bit of a lull before Nelson livened up proceedings in scoring the Yellows third.

A lovely instinctive finish from 'AD' who celebrated with the home fans.

Crawford had another chance before proceedings were brought to an end by the referee who I thought had a great game. They always say if you don't remember anything the ref has done then he's had a good one. 

So a comfortable 3 points but a pleasing clean sheet as well. Good luck to our visitors in finding that elusive win. They played the game in a fine spirit and I'm looking forward to a return to their Abbey Lawn ground later in the season.

The yellows next game is on Weds away to another winless side Borrowash Victoria 19.45 KO.

Hucknall hope to be Bourne again this Saturday

 HUCKNALL TOWN V BOURNE TOWN

UCL DIVISION 1 SAT 4TH SEPTEMBER 2021 3 PM KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Following Hucknall's dramatic and very entertaining mid week draw with Gedling the Yellows are at home again on Saturday when they host Bourne Town.

Our visitors have yet to register a victory this season from 6 league games so far. They have picked up two draws one at Borrowash and a notable 2 2 draw at new league leaders Kimberley.

The two clubs met in the FA Vase a couple of seasons ago when Hucknall and their supporters had a very enjoyable visit to the Wakes'  Abbey Lawn ground and a victory. 

Hucknall will be boosted with the return of Joe Ashurst though match fitness must be a concern. Joe Butler suffered an injury in the Gedling game so might be doubtful. With Grant Ryan still out through suspension manager Andy Graves will have to look at the options available.

Hucknall will see this as a chance to close the gap on the top teams but Bourne will be keen to find that elusive victory.

Safe travels to our visitors.

UCL DIV 1 ROUND UP WEEK 4

 UCL DIV 1 ROUND UP WEEK 4

After Saturdays games and this weeks mid week fixture the last 100% record of Belper United was ended at the 6th attempt when visitors Kimberley MWFC came out victorious by the odd goal of three. Their prolific striker Luis Rose went into double figures for the season. Kimberley's win followed hot on the heels of their 8 1 demolition of Blackstones on Saturday. The two victories also put Kimberley on top of the table with 16 points from 7 played.

With them on 16 points are St Andrews who responded to their 5 nil defeat at Belper in the battle of the top two  (at the time) on Saturday by winning 3 1 away at Lutterworth on Bank Holiday Monday. 

On Tuesday evening the last unbeaten record also fell when Hinckley lost 3 2 away at Birstall United. Paul Pallett scoring a brace for the hosts who were 3 nil to the good until a late Hinckley fight back came up just short.

Belper dropped to third after their defeat on 15 points but have a game in hand on the top two.

West Bridgford are making a habit of winning at home following up on Fridays 6 nil win hosting Graham Street Prims with a single goal victory over Radford on Tuesday at Regatta Way. That made it 4 wins out of 4 at home together with an away win puts them on 15 points from 7 games to sit in 4th spot.

Aylestone make up the last of the play off places after a surprise home defeat to Saffron Dynamo on Bank Holiday Monday, Dynam's winner came deep into added on time and followed on from another 3 2 away win at struggling Bourne Town on Saturday.

At the bottom Blackstones are the only team looking to get off the mark but have only played 3 games due to covid issues.

Borrowash, Clifton and Bourne are still looking for a victory.

Graham Street got their first victory when defeating neighbours Borrowash Victoria 3 1 in their Bank Holiday clash. There surely can't be two teams closer together geographically other than those who have/or do share the same pitch.

Of the other games Dunkirk picked up a notable 8 1 victory at home to close Neighbours Clifton in the early Bank Holiday game.

Danny Durkin scored 4 times in Harrowbys 6 1 win at home to Bourne Town.

Barrow Town had mixed fortunes losing 3 1 at home to Hucknall Saturday but responding well in travelling to Kirby Muxloe on Tuesday winning 5 1.

Hucknall remained unbeaten over the two games but the Wednesday night game was quite remarkable. The home side found themselves 3 nil down after 20 mins with visitors Gedling scoring 3 times in 6 minutes. Hucknall reduced the deficit to 3 2 by half time before a controversial equaliser in the second half. Great entertainment as I can testify.

Gedling had ended a run of 3 defeats by having an impressive 5 2 home victory over Birstall on Saturday.

All to play for this weekend so enjoy where ever you are going

Yellows survive the Blitz to get a Point

 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.

Hucknall face old foes Gedling

 HUCKNALL TOWN V GEDLING MWFC

UCL DIV 1 WEDS 1ST SEPT 21 19.45 KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall return to action at Watnall Road tonight when old foes Gedling MWFC make the short trip across Nottingham. Hucknall have probably faced Gedling more times in recent years than anyone else both in league and cup competitions. Indeed we face the same opposition a week on Saturday in the FA Vase.

Our visitors Gedling had an opening day win at fast improving Saffron Dynamo thanks to a Courtney Hastings Hat trick and all seemed rosy. 

But then came a run of three defeats. A 4 1 away defeat at now table toppers Kimberley was followed by a 6 nil defeat at Hinckley. A home defeat to Barrow Town followed.

Gedling though bounced back well at the weekend with a fine 5 2 defeat of Birstall United at Gedling Road where former Hucknall players Felix Hogg and Ruben Wiggins-Thomas scored goals. 

Gedling have proved to be a thorn in the side of the Yellows recently and Hucknall will be looking to put this right. Having won Saturday at Barrow Hucknall will see the next two games as hopefully a spring board to get in amongst the teams at the top. Joe Butler had twenty minutes on his return Saturday which will be a boost to the squad. 

Results last night mean that everyone has lost at least once and both ourselves and our visitors will be looking to progress up the table.

Safe travels everyone

First Win on the Road For Yellows

 BARROW TOWN 1 HUCKNALL TOWN 3

UCL DIV 1 SAT AUGUST 28TH 21 3 PM KO

MATCH REPORT

TEAMS

BARROW TOWN:  BINKS, HOPEWELL, CHAPMAN, MCINTOSH, TAYLOR, BALL, HOLMES. BAHREY, REEVES, RACEALA, MANGAN

SUBS: PRESTON, CRABTREE, WOOLEY

HUCKNALL TOWN: 1 JAKE PEARSON, 2 MICHEAL BANISTER, 3 LOUIS KINNERLEY, 4 SAM SIMS, 5 LENNY JENKINS, 6 JORDAN PHILLIPS, 7 CAYNE MAXWELL, 8 TOM HUBBARD, 9 CRAIG WESTCARR, 10 EUGENE FRANCIS, 11 OLI BROWN

USED SUBS: JAMIE CRAWFORD, ADAM NELSON AND JOE BUTLER

OFFICIALS: SIMON BELL, STEVE DAVIS, TONY BARNEY

Hucknall returned home with a hard fought for three points. The Riverside is never an easy place to go and this was no different.

Barrow indeed started the brightest and Hucknall's defence was tested from the start but held firm. This set the pattern for the first half as both teams found chances hard to come by as the defences dominated.

As it looked like the half was going to remain goaless Hucknall were rewarded a corner. The ball was swung into the mix right under the bar the ball appearing to go into the net off a Barrow defender with the keeper having appeals for a foul waved away.

Tom Hubbard was perhaps lucky to only see a yellow card for a bad tackle and Michael Banister was sin binned just before the half time break for dissent but Hucknall saw the half out.

The second half had barely begun when the home side equalised. The Hucknall defence switched off for the only time in the game allowing a free header at the far post which found the net. I apologise for not knowing the scorer.

Rather than spur the home side on it was the visitors who hit back playing with a quicker tempo. Manager Andy Graves made changes with Jamie Crawford replacing Oli Brown. 

Crawford added more width down the right hand side but it was an unlikely source that assisted for the second Hucknall goal. Lennie Jenkins made a blockbusting run down the right. His resulting cross came back to him. His cross/shot was diverted home by Eugene Francis.

Francis was the replaced by Adam Nelson. Nelson was involved straight away with Binksin the home goal producing a superb blocking save from the Hucknall strker from close range. The resultant cornerwas swung in right under the bar again. With a replica of Hucknall's first goal Cayne Maxwell this time getting the final touch to make it 3 1.

Maxwell was then replaced by Joe butler who made a welcome return to the team after injury. He should have made it 4 but the home keeper again saved from his close range shot.

Barrow tried hard to get back into the game but Hucknall's defence held firm with Louis Kinnerley having a superb game at left back.

So the three points went to the visitors for their first away success of the campaign. Barrow is always an enjoyable place to visit and I wish them well for the rest of the season and look forward to the return game at Watnall Road.

Next up for the Yellows is a home game on Wednesday night against Gedling MWFC.

Yellows on the Road to Barrow

 BARROW TOWN V HUCKNALL TOWN

UCL DIV 1 SAT 28TH AUGUST 21 15.00 KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall travel to Barrow this Saturday for a game that promises to be much tougher than their last vist to the Riverside. The host have started their league campaign in solid style with 3 wins a draw and one defeat from their 5 games so far. They were unlucky in the game they lost with Radford grabbing a winner with almost the last kick of the game on the opening day of the season. This was followed by a 2 2 draw with Birstall away. Then came a run of 3 wins. A 3 nil home win over Saffron Dynamo was followed up by 2 away wins at Gedling and Clifton. So they will go into this game full of confidence.

After last weeks 2 2 draw with then table toppers Aylestone Hucknall were dealt a major blow in the week when for the second season in a row Liam Hearn decided to up sticks and move on to Eastwood CFC after just a couple of games. As I wrote then he will be missed as he is a great player with a wealth of experience and I genuinely wish him well but the book needs to be permanently closed on this chapter now as it was with another former striker. We need players committed to the club regardless of how great they are.

Quite what formation manager Andy Graves opts for remains to be seen with Grant Ryan and Joe Ashurst still missing. Joe Butler may play some part but again that remains to be seen. 

Hucknall's record this season so far is played 4 winning 2 drawing 1 and losing 1 with the 3 unbeaten games coming at Watnall Road so they will be keen to start getting points on their travels.

I will be at the game and I'm looking forward to an entertaining encounter.

Safe Travels everyone.

Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barrow-Town-FC/104079172960630

            Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarrowTFC

            Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barrow_Town_F.C.

             Website: https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/barrowtown/

             Address: Riverside Park

Riverside Park

Barrow Road

Loughborough

Leicestershire

LE12 8XJ

01509 620650