The new era for Hucknall began at Newcastle Town on Saturday, where Brett's team earned a creditable draw, by all accounts. The first home fixture against Kings Lynn was always going to be a toughie, and so it proved - although it was three defensive errors that eventually cost the Yellows dear.
Expected a few more to be at Watnall Road for this game - the official attendance was 190, with a decent following from Norfolk. One heck of a trek for a midweek game.....
Disappointed with the programme as well - I know it's not the easiest, most well paid job at any club, but for £2 this was poor by any standards. At least we managed to grab a team sheet from club Secretary Tony Knowles.
Issue 2?
Russell Dunkley had the first proper chance of the game in the 8th minute, but his header flew over the bar. Warren Hartfield then fouled Ross Watson to set up a free-kick on the edge of the box. Jamie Thurlbourne ran up and smashed the ball way wide of Fisher's goal.
Hucknall were playing well enough against a team that have to be among the favourites to climb out of the division - and it was the home team who opened the scoring on 18.Leggitt found Carty down the left and he in turn played in Brown. The no. 11 passed the ball onto KARL SLACK who never looked like missing when he went in one on one with Lynn keeper Alex Street.
Kev's sequence shots:
Slack had another chance in the 22nd minute, but fired just wide. The game looked there for the taking as Hucknall had morof the possession and played some neat football. There for the taking - until 7 minutes of defensive suicide handed the advantage back to Lynn.
A corner from the left sailed into the area was cleared from in front of goal, but STEVE SPRIGGS was waiting on the far stick to ram home the loose ball, despite Hucknall having two defenders covering the post.
Spriggs was beginning to show just what a quality player he is, and James Leggitt was struggling to cope with the tricky winger. Mind you, a little defensive help from Jamie Brown might have helped the left back - but this part of the game seems to be sadly missing from Brown. Good player, but needs to work much harder if he is to remain in the team.
Leggitt was again culpable for the Lynn second goal on 40, allowing a cross that was headed at goal and superbly saved by Fisher. RUSSELL DUNKLEY was first to the loose ball though, and had the simple task of firing into the empty net.
Right on half time, Spriggs ran at Leggitt again, and as he carried the ball into the area, Leggitt fouled him - penalty - no hesitation from Referee Chris Ward. SPRIGGS hammered the spot kick home to give the visitors a hardly deserved two goal lead at the break. H-T 1-3
The second half was goal-less, but it belonged to the home team who, despite being two goals down, outplayed their opposition for the most part, and created ample chances. They were up against a very good keeper in Street, and when the visitors back line was penetrated, the big man was always on hand.
I took no notes in the second half, deciding to watch rather than scribble and tweet - and one or two things became obvious as the half progressed : Rob Austin is a cracking, solid centre-half and if Brett Marshall teams him together with Corey Nightingale they should be quite a pairing. The Hucknall midfield is still finding it's feet. I can't see Carty, Hatfield, Brown and Wilby setting this division alight - all good players, but apart from Hatfield, lacking experience at this level. Slack and new signing Ben Good looked a good pairing up top - little and large - always a good combination.
On the whole, a disappointing result, but a decent performance -- and you have to think that the Yellows will not meet this sort of quality team every game. What happened in the last 7 minutes of the first half is avoidable, and I'm sure that Brett will be working on that with his coaching staff before the cup game against Retford on Saturday. F-T 1-3
Admission : season ticket
Attendance 190
Programme - yes, there was one - at £2 it was not the best. No mention of our sponsoring Brett.....
