Late Collingwood header sees Reserves draw with Stapleford

Hucknall Town Reserves hosted Stapleford Town Reserves at the RM in the first game of 2024 for a top of the table clash between third and fourth place in NSL1.
Suspended skipper Aaron Roberts was replaced by the returning Marshall Collingwood and David Briggs started in the striker position for his final game before returning to university.

In truth Hucknall struggled early on in the game and were grateful to keeper Blaine McGrory for ensuring that the scores stayed level. Stapleford blasted a penalty into the Doff car park and soon after Kai Bryon made a miraculous block in front of goal with the opposition player already turning away ready to celebrate.
Yellows were restricted to only half chances with Mitch Jackson's free kick probably the best opportunity for them to score.
Half time: Hucknall Town Reserves 0-0 Stapleford Town Reserves

Yellows changed formation for the start of the second half and looked much more threatening. However, chances for Orange, Jackson, Gatland and Byron were all spurned. With the game entering the last 10mins the opposition took the lead when a ball over the top was converted expertly by Scard. Predictably, Stapleford looked to run down the clock but on 87mins Hucknall grabbed an equaliser when a Kieran Orange corner picked out Marshall Collingwood to head home. Hucknall pushed for a last-minute winner that their second half performance merited but the referees whistle blew and the game was drawn.