HUCKNALL LOOK TO MAKE TRACKS IN THE TRAMLINE DERBY

 RADFORD V HUCKNALL TOWN

UCL DIV 1 SAT SEPT 25TH 2021 15.00 KO

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall make the short journey to Selhurst Street Radford looking to cement their place in the top five and knowing a victory will take them top of the pile with all the teams above them involved in FA Vase action.

Radford though will as always provide stern opposition for the Yellows. 

Radford will be full of confidence after a fine 4 1 victory at Harrowby United on Tuesday night with Ryan Smith scoring a hat trick which followed another away victory last Saturday when defeating our FA Vase conquerors Gedling MWFC.

Radford sit in 9th place with a record of played 10 won 6 and lost 4 with no draws to have 18 points.

Other away victories have come at Ingles 3 0 and Graham Street 4 1.

Home victories were over Barrow Town on the opening day of the season courtesy of a last gasp winner and Clifton AWFC.

Defeats have come against Aylestone Park at home 2 1, West Bridgford away by the single goal scored, St Andrews 4 0 and of course at Hucknall back in August when the Yellows triumphed 2 1 after a close encounter. Jevon Seaton scoring for the visitors with the Yellow's goals coming from Sam Simms and the now departed in a flash Liam Hearn.

Hucknall go into the game having played 10 winning 6 drawing 3 and losing 1. They drew last Saturday despite having 26 attempts on goal at Kirby Muxloe but put in 5 against winless Clifton on Wednesday night with 5 different scorers.

So Radford will be looking for a bit of payback for the defeat at Watnall Road whilst the Yellow's will know the reward three points will bring.

Unfortunately I will miss this game and the next couple and there will be no match reports from me from these games but I assume the official reports will still be made.

Just a note that the Club are running a bus to the Blackstones game. Details are on the club website and also on the fans unofficial facebook page.

Links:

address: Radford FC

Selhurst Street
Hyson Green
Nottingham
NG7 5EH

Face book: https://www.facebook.com/RadfordFC64/

twitter: https://twitter.com/RadfordFC64

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

UCL DIV 1 WEEKLY ROUND UP WEEK 7 

Once again we have new leaders of the division. Aylestone Park return to the top of the tree despite a home defeat inflicted on them by Dunkirk on Saturday. Goal difference has them on top aided by a 8 1 demolition of Blackstones on Wednesday night. The prolific Shay Brennan scoring 3 more to make it 22 goals in 11 games.

Kimberley MWFC also have 23 points but have a game in hand on the leaders. Kimberley followed up a 3 1 home win over previous leaders ST Andrews with an impressive 4 nil away victory at West Bridgford. This was without leading scorer Luis Rose who has left to join Heanor. 

Also on 23 points are Birstall United who beat Bourne Town 2 nil at home on Tuesday which followed a victory at winless Clifton on Saturday. Striker Paul Pallett moving into double figures for the season.

St Andrews drop down to 4th spot after the defeat at Kimberley and also a home defeat to Hinckley on Tuesday. This was their 4th loss of the season and they have played more games than any of the top 5.

Hucknall Town moved into the final play off spot after a 2 2 draw at Kirby Muxloe on Saturday and a five without reply victory at home to Clifton on Wednesday with 5 different scorers.  Hucknall one of three sides that have only lost once the others being Kimberley and Belper who sit in 6th but have only played 8 league games. 

At the other end of the table Clifton's defeat dropped them to the bottom on goal difference with Borrowash Victoria who also have yet to win a game. 

Blackstones got rid of this unwanted tag in winning 3 nil at Borrowash on Saturday before coming back down to earth in the home defeat by Aylestone. Still it was enough to get them out of the bottom 3 as Graham Street dropped to third from bottom on goal difference following 2 away defeats at Lutterworth and Barrow Town.

Another team to pick up their first 3 points was Bourne Town in their 3 nil home win over Ingles who seem to have imploded after a good start to the campaign. 

Just 4 league matches on Saturday as some teams are involved in the FA Vase in which I wish them the best of luck. There are 7 midweek games.

Enjoy your football where ever it may be.

Hucknall all white on the night

 Hucknall Town 5 Clifton All Whites 0

UCL Division 1 weds Sept 22nd 19.45 KO

Match Report

Hucknall Team: 1 Jake Pearson 2 Courtney Bartley 3 Oli Brown 4 Sam Sims 5 Aaron Short (capt) 6 Jordan Phillips 7 Tom Hubbard 8 Michael Banister 9 Grant Ryan 10 Craig Westcarr 11 Louis Kinnerley

Subs: Cayne Maxwell, Jamie Crawford, Joe Butler, Lenny Jenkins and Eugene Francis

Clifton: Oliver Bielby, Jacob Brandon, David Chapman, Henry Cheetham, Paul Durham, Dylan Krikler, Ashley Miles, Cian Sweeney, Joshua Wright, George Warren, Matthew Jelfs

Subs: Joshua Gardner, Simon Hore, Robbie Manners, Charles Nduka and Jack Woodroof

Officials: Edgar Brown, Paul Dixon and Andy Wood

Attendance 186

Hucknall moved into the play off spots with a comfortable victory over Clifton who have yet to taste victory this season.

As expected Grant Ryan made his first start of the season after coming on as sub at the weekend. Joe Ashurst was unavailable so Lois Kinnerley played on the right. Tom Hubbard returned in midfield with Jamie Crawford dropping to the bench.

Clifton started the game and the early exchanges were pretty level. Bartley did well to clear a Clifton cross before Kinnerley had a shot over the bar.

Craig Westcarr then had a shot which looked destined for the net but hit the post and then diverted a Bartley cross wide.

Grant Ryan then had a 25 yard shot which went wide and a shot from 12 yards which again missed the target,

The visitors threatened on the break with a cross which evaded everyone and a shot which was straight at Pearson in the home goal.

Just before halftime Banister went close with a shot which was deflected wide before the visiting keeper tipped Hubbard's header onto the bar and a Clifton defender cleared. 

As with last Saturday Yellow's fans were left to wonder how it was only one goal but at least they were ahead at half time.

The second half had barely begun when the home side doubled their lead. I must confess I missed it as I was still awaiting a much needed meal. Courtney Bartley applying a nice finish to Oli Brown's cross.

Banister and Ryan then had efforts which failed to hit the target as Hucknall continued to press.

Pearson then claimed a dangerous cross from the visitors in a rare foray.

Kinnerley then thought he had scored a third with the ball hitting the crossbar and bouncing on the line before being cleared.

Centre back Jordan Phillips then scored his 4th goal of the season and Town's third of the night being on hand to tap in from close range following Westcarr's corner which was flicked on by Hubbard.

Andy Graves then made a change on 70 mins bringing on Crawford for Kinnerley.

Pearson then had to make his first serious save of the night tipping the ball around the post from a shot on the edge of the area.

Sam Sims was then replaced by Joe Butler.

Craig Westcarr then made it 4 with a wicked shot from the edge of the area which looped over the visiting keeper. Reminded me of a goal Christian Moore scored against Kettering in the glory years.

Cayne Maxwell then replaced Bartley. All three players that went off had deserved rounds of applause from the home fans.

Clifton by this point were on the ropes despite never giving up and Ryan went close but his shot was deflected wide whilst Crawford's shot went well over.

The best was yet to come though. Oli Brown was released down the right with a lovely pass. He powered by the defender and produced a wonderful cross which was met by Banister who defied the years and smashed the ball into the back of the net for a great team goal to wrap up proceedings.

The win moved Hucknall up to 5th spot with games in hand over everyone above them except Kimberley who have also played 10 but are 2 points ahead of the Yellows in second spot.

Belper lie just outside the play off spots but have only played 8 and are involved in the FA Vase this weekend'

Clifton dropped to bottom but credit to them for playing a nice brand of football and never chucking the towel in.

Next up is a difficult looking trip in the tramline derby at Radford who will be bolstered by an excellent 4 1 win at Harrowby on Tuesday and looking for pay back from the 2 1 defeat inflicted at Watnall Road back in August.

I will be absent from this one so cheer the boys on for me.

Keep Safe.

The Yellows took the lead on 14 minutes with Tom Hubbard finishing nicely with a shot that lacked pace but was directed into the bottom corner on the half volley.

Captain Aaron short then had a shot just wide and an ambitious effort which went well over as Hucknall stepped on the gas. 

YELLOWS LOOKING TO MAINTAIN TOP FIVE PUSH

 HUCKNALL TOWN V CLIFTON AWFC

UCL DIVISION 1 WEDS 22ND SEPT 21 KO 19.45

MATCH PREVIEW

Hucknall entertain old EMCL rivals Clifton tonight at Watnall Road in a fixture that like Gedling MWFC has always proved difficult to get a victory. 

Our visitors have not had the best of starts to the season and still await their first victory. Having played 8 lost 7 and drawn 1. Also a goal difference of minus 23 suggest where the problem lies. 

Home defeats have come against St Andrews, Belper United, Holwell Sports and Birstall United conceding 16 goals in the process though it must be said 3 of those teams are in the top 5.

Away defeats have come at Radford, Dunkirk, and Barrow conceding 15 goals. Another 4 goals were conceded at Hucknall's last opponents Kirby Muxloe but Clifton recovered from 4 2 down with ten minutes left to get a credible draw out of the game.

Hucknall then will surely fancy their chances but recent History suggests otherwise. The sides have enjoyed some close battles with two 3 3 draws. Hucknall finding themselves 3 nil down at half time in a home encounter before battling back to earn a draw. In the away encounter that season a late equaliser from the Yellows captain Aaron Short resulted in the same score. 

Adam Nelson's spectacular strike in added time earned the Yellows an away victory last time the teams met in the EMCL 11 months ago.

Hucknall were boosted by the return of Grant Ryan in last Saturdays draw at Kirby Muxloe when the Yellows had 26 efforts on goal (Kirby's figures, not mine). Meanwhile Joe Butler was scoring a hat trick for the reserves. Coupled with Joe Ashurst gaining match fitness at Kirby manager Andy Graves will have selection options though a couple of players will be missing due to work commitments.

Hucknall will go 5th with a win with Belper not having a mid week game and could possibly go 4th but Aylestone have a very winnable game at Blackstones tonight though the hosts did pick up their first victory of the season at Borrowash last Saturday.

Safe travels all and enjoy the game.

HUCKNALL FAIL TO TAKE CHANCES AND SQUANDER POINTS

 KIRBY MUXLOE 2 HUCKNALL TOWN 2

UCL DIV ONE SAT SEPT 18TH 21 KO 15.00

MATCH REPORT

TEAMS:

KIRBY MUXLOE: 1 Alex Egner 2 Kane Brown 3 Tyler Love 4 Josh Gunn 5 Adam Parry 6 Tom Carroll 7 Roman Watson-Quilter 8 Jack O'Brien 9 Dan Barber (capt) 10 Jack Gunn 11 Lucca Watson-Quilter

Subs: Louis Bassett, Jack Toon, Max Lowe, Chevron Mahoney and Liam Joyce

HUCKNALL TOWN: 1 Jake Pearson 2 Courtney Bartley 3 Oli Brown 4 Sam Sims 5 Aaron Short (capt) 6 Lenny Jenkins 7 Jamie Crawford 8 Jordan Phillips 9 Craig Westcarr 10 Joe Ashurst 11 Louis Kinnerley

Subs: Tom Hubbard, Michael Banister, Grant Ryan and Eugene Francis

ATT 88 (quite a few Yellow's fans)

Officials: Tristan Churcher, Oliver Tydeman and Daniel Haywood

After a topsy-turvey game at Ratby Lane Hucknall had to settle for a point after failing to make their first half domination count. Quite how it was level at half time is beyond me but by the end it was a game which could have ended in defeat.

Hucknall started well and seemed to adapt to the 3g pitch well and created numerous chances with Westcarr particularly involved both in creating and having opportunities. The finishing though was poor with shots going over or just wide and when they were on target Egner in the home goal made comfortable saves. 

Westcarr did open the scoring though finding the net from 6 yards. 

Such was Hucknall's pressure that the home side had to wait until the half hour mark when despite all the chances it really should have been level. A cross whipped across the box was headed over by the unmarked striker. 

The home team were making inroads towards the end of the half and with virtually the last kick of the half equalised. Jack Gunn providing the finish.

Second half was much tighter with Kirby playing nicely out of defence but Hucknall were still looking dangerous. 

Hucknall made their first change with the fans expecting Grant Ryans return it was Eugene Francis that replaced Jamie Crawford.

It was Joe Ashurst who restored the lead for the visitors guiding the ball home after a nice move.

Kirby weren't finished though. Jordan Phillips fouled in the centre circle and was being lectured by the match official who allowed the free kick to be taken quickly despite Phillips being out of position. Hucknall switched off and though an initial effort was well blocked Lowe finished well.

Grant Ryan eventually entered the fray for the visitors with ten minutes remaining replacing the Louis Kinnerley who had had another imprssive display but should have done better when placing a header just over. 

Hucknall were nearly sunk when a shot hit the crossbar and somehow the rebound was put over the bar with the goal gaping.

To have come away with nothing would have been galling but at any level of football it can be a cruel game if you don't take your chances. as it was a deserved point at a difficult place to go. I can see why Kirby have had some strange results as they are a good capable side but give a lot of chances to the opposition.

Onto our next game which is Clifton at home on Wednesday who we have also drawn in the Notts Senior Cup away.

Keep Safe All

Hucknall Visit Kirby hoping not to be cleaned out

 KIRBY MUXLOE V HUCKNALL TOWN

UCL DIV 1 SAT SEPT 18TH 21 15.00 KO

MATCH PREVIEW

A new ground for me to visit tomorrow and as far as I am aware a new team as I don't believe our paths have crossed before. Somebody may be able to correct me on this but I believe it to be true.

So a bit of a unknown quantity awaits as Hucknall travel to Kirby Muxloe tomorrow. Both teams were knocked out of the FA Vase last weekend by divisional rivals so both will be looking to bounce back with a victory tomorrow.

The hosts will have an advantage as they have a 3g pitch which they will know all about but will be strange for the Hucknall team'.

Kirby have had a funny old season so far sitting in tenth position having played 8 games, winning 4 , drawing 1 and losing 3. 

They started off the season with a comfortable home win over Graham Street Prims, Kyle Tott grabbing a hat trick as they won 4 nil.

This was followed up by a 4 1 home defeat to Lutterworth Athletic who had lost themselves to Hucknall on that opening day.

In their first away fixture they came from 2 nil down to triumph 3 2 at Dunkirk. Lucca Watson-Quilter grabbing a brace.

Then came an unexpected 8 1 defeat at Aylestone Park the prolific Shay Brennan weighing in with 4 goals.

Kyle Tott then got himself another Hatrick but Kirby let a 4 2 lead slip in the last ten minutes against winless Clifton at home having to settle for a 4 4 draw.

Barrow Town visited Kirby the Tuesday after Hucknall had inflicted a 3 1 home defeat on them the game before. Barrow responded well and came away with a 5 1 victory with Kyle Tott receiving a red card.

Kirby showed what an unpredictable side they can be with a fine 3 2 away victory at high flying Harrowby. Jack Gunn getting a brace. This was followed up with another 3 2 victory against current league leaders St Andrews at home before Saturdays penalty shoot out defeat in the Vase at Birstall United.

Hucknall are currently just outside the play off positions in 6th spot following recent games but are very much in touch with the top teams.

Their league record reads played 8 winning 5 drawing 2 and losing 1.

Manager Andy Graves will be boosted by the return of Grant Ryan after his long suspension. He scored a hat trick for the reserves in mid week. Joe Ashurst scored against Gedling and looked sharp and Joe Butler having also played for the reserves may also play a part.

In my opinion this is a difficult game for the Yellows. Kirby seem to play their best against the top sides with the exception of Aylestone and are capable of scoring a few goals from different positions. On the other side of the coin they do seem to concede a few. 

Should be a good entertaining game. Safe travels.

Links

Address and Post Code: Kirby Muxloe Football Club

Ratby Lane
Kirby Muxloe
Leicester
Leicestershire LE9 2AQ

website: https://kirbymuxloefootballclub.co.uk/

face book: https://www.facebook.com/KirbyMuxloeFootballClub

twitter: https://twitter.com/KirbyMuxloeFC

wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirby_Muxloe_F.C.

UCL DIV 1 WEEKLY ROUND UP WEEK 6

 UCL DIV 1 WEEKLY ROUND UP WEEK 6

With the FA Vase first qualifying round taking centre stage at the weekend league action was limited to a handful of games. St Andrews returned to top spot after a 4 1 Tuesday night victory at home to Holwell Sports, Aaron Preston netting a hat trick on his return to the club.

Harrowby United benefitted from two victories in the league, a 2 nil away win at strugglers Graham Street on Saturday was followed up with a 4 nil success at bottom club Blackstones who have yet to get a point. This was enough to lift them into 4th spot in the table.

Aylestone enjoyed a 2 1 away victory at Radford on Saturday to keep up their challenge in second spot, two points off the top but a game in hand.

In the vase there were victories for Gedling who knocked out division rivals Hucknall and Birstall United who won on penalties against another Division 1 side in Kirby Muxloe the score 2 2 at full time.

Belper United won 2 1 at Bourne Town, Ingles beat Blackstones 4 1 at home in the other inter division ties.

Hinckley raised national eyebrows when visiting ST Martins and coming home with an incredible 18 nil victory.

Dunkirk had a fine 3 nil away win at step 5 AFC Mansfield.

St Andrews sneaked through on penalties after a 1 1 draw at NCEL Div 1 side Clipstone.

Lutterworth Athletic went down 4 1 away at Boston Town. There were also defeats for Holwell Sports, 3 0 at Deeping Rangers, Clifton AWFC 4 1 at Step 5 Leicester Nirvana, Saffron Dynamo on penalties at home to Quorn, Barrow Town 2 1 at Selston and Borrowash Victoria at much fancied Sherwood Colliery but just by the only goal scored.

Good luck to those teams that made it through and commiserations to those that didn't.