Because I’m not feeling 100% at
the moment, it’s difficult to motivate myself to travel more than a couple of
miles. We were due to be at Long Eaton
v Heanor which finished 3-2 to the away team - we ended up at Watnall Road to see if Hucknall Town AFC could gain bragging
rights by beating local rivals Linby CW.
The Yellows were so close to
claiming their first win of the season, and were only denied all three points
in the 3rd minute of second half added time.
A bitterly cold Watnall Road –
with the wind gusting from the Salterford Road end it was difficult to find
shelter, so watering eyes and snotty nose were the order of the day!!!
Town’s Assistant Manager Paul
Stevenson was in goal last time we saw them play – this time he was lining
after one of the officials failed to turn up. Good job well done, Stevo – talk
about versatile!
Linby’s first chance fell to Matt Murphy on 6, but the
centre-forward headed just over. Matt Peberday volleyed into keeper James
Beddinngham’s arms after he was picked out in front of goal by Damian Mann with
20 played, but with the half entering stoppage time, and totally against the
run of play, the hosts went ahead through ADAM MORAN. Strange to see a linesman jump up and down when a goal has been
scored, but it was a great moment!! H-T 1-0
The second half was not too inspiring, although it did
liven up after half an hour or so had been played.
Murphy should have levelled the scores on 77 after neat
approach play from Peberday and Barry Paine presented him with an opportunity 8
yards from goal, but Beddingham was again on hand to block the strikers effort.
Kamar Davis was unlucky not to have increased Hucknall’s
lead seconds later – his effort from wide right crashed off the far stick
before being hacked to safety by the Linby defence.
Davis had a great chance to secure the points on 90, but
he could only head wide from 6 yards after he was left totally unmarked in
front of goal.
Mann then blazed the ball over the goal, over the fence
and almost into Salterford Road after Peberday had set him up in front of goal.
With the Referee indicating 5 minutes of stoppage time,
and with Linby powering forward at will as the home team ran out of steam, MATT
PEBERDAY broke the home teams hearts in the third of the added minutes when he
flicked home David Marlow’s pinpoint right wing cross.
Linby’s Ashley Winfield received a second yellow right on
the final whistle – his first in the first half was for chipping away at the
Ref, and the second was for something he said that the Ref didn’t take too
kindly to. Maybe the ban and fine will help Ashley to remember to keep schtum
in future. F-T 1-1
Admission : season ticket
Programme / prize draw £1
Attendance H/C 47
