Second half Stokes treble seals the points for Reserves

In one of the few games to survive the freezing weather, Hucknall Town Reserves travelled to Platt Lane to take on Keyworth Town Reserves. The previous meeting had seen Yellows come back from 3-1 down to steal a point. But since then Keyworth had found goals and points hard to come by.

A fully fit squad presented a welcome headache for Hucknall Reserves Management team and a very strong group of 16 players arrived in confident mood.
Hucknall played into the wind in the first half and understandably found it quite difficult to get into their rhythm. It felt almost inevitable that the home side would score as Hucknall gifted them a series of chances. But some last ditched defending meant that the Hucknall goal stayed intact. Gradually, Yellows worked out how to move forward and the chances started to appear. Recent signing Matt Gains was a whisker away on two occasions after terrific deliveries from Will Bailey. Gains eventually broke the offside trap to score the opening goal with a neat finish in a one-on-one with the Keyworth Keeper.
Half time: Keyworth United Reserves 0-1 Hucknall Town Reserves

Yellows came storming out of the blocks in the second half and Gains very nearly grabbed a second in the opening moments when he charged down a clearance but blasted over the bar having created an opening on goal. Hucknall clicked into a ruthless period of play that saw four goals scored in quick succession. Firstly, the impressive Danny Stokes slotted home after great work from Kai Byron and then he followed up with a similar effort after terrific work from Gains on the byline. Gains slotted home his second and then Stokes scored his third when Hucknall's high press presented him with a chance to score from 40 yards out.
Keyworth got a well-deserved consolation in the last moments of the game, but it was Hucknall who celebrated taking the 3 points.