As we walked into the Watnall Road ground we were welcomed by Town General Manager Steve Peat, who told us that Yellows' keeper Jason Fisher hadn't turned up, and defender Rob Austin was to take his place between the sticks.
With only one league victory so far this season, the last thing Town Boss Brett Marshall needed was his keeper going AWOL. To be fair, the home defence was solid in front of Austin and the stand-in had a great game!
Ben Good has returned to Spalding, but Alex Ford looks a decent enough replacement - and the addition of Lee McAnulty and Aaron Large to the midfield has given the Yellows a heart that wasn't previously there.
Hucknall had the games first decent chance in just the second minute, but Julian Topliss just failed to connect with Evan Garnett's cross into the far post. Topliss then had a shot blocked three minutes later.
Gary Hay was allowed time to run at the home defence after 10 minutes had been played, but fortunately for Hucknall, the centre-forwards effort flew way wide.
Jamie Brown had a shot well saved by Lee Evans in the visitors goal on 18, but Evans had no chance with the Hucknall opening goal in the 34th minute. A long throw from Rob Paling was nodded on by McAnulty and found ALEX FORD unmarked in front of goal. The striker had the simple task of heading past the keeper from close range. H-T 1-0
The home team had a couple of corners early in the second half, but the Scholars made a couple of changes, and soon began to take the game to their hosts. On 64 Austin made a terrific diving save to keep out Mark Branch's free-kick, awarded after McAnulty had been penalised for a foul.
It was "Macca" who had the games next chance seconds later, firing just wide from long range. The home team doubled their lead in the 67th minute through JULIAN TOPLISS. Austin's long clearance was collected by Ford who hit a slide rule pass to his strike partner and the no. 10 calmly ran on and slotted past Evans.
Celebrations were cut short though as Chasetown pulled a goal back a minute later - TYRONE CLARKE-O'CONNOR heading home from in front of goal as the Hucknall defence failed to stop a cross from the left going into the box.
James Leggitt made a great block to keep out a drive on 75, then when Austin made his first error, Corey Nightingale was on hand to hack the loose ball off the line. With 5 minutes to play, ALEX FORD headed home again, a cross from the right from Paling picking out the big man at the near post.
Within two minutes, Chasetown were back in it - GARY HAY tapping home after Austin failed to hold on to a fierce shot.
So, three minutes left and finger nails down to the hurty bits - and then Brian Reece announces that there would be an added three! In the fourth of those three added minutes, Chasetown forced a corner and the ball was steered at goal -Austin was smartly down to block the chance and as the ball went safe, Referee Akil Howson finally put an end to the torment and Town had their first home league win of the season. F-T 3-2
Admission : season ticket
Attendance 147 ( a lot of travelling support though, with plenty of flags! )
