The Yellows controlled proceedings throughout and were good value for their victory, which moves them up to seventh place in the United Counties League Division One.

Hucknall started the game very strongly and went close to opening the scoring within the first 60 seconds when Jamie Crawford struck the foot of the post after being played in nicely by Sam Sims.

As the first half progressed, the Yellows tested Bourne goalkeeper John Swales on a number of occasions, with Craig Westcarr and Eugene Francis both involved in several attacks. In the 24th minute, Michael Banister received the ball from Maxwell inside the box and lashed a shot at goal, forcing Swales into an excellent save.

The breakthrough arrived ten minutes later, when the ball was nodded home by Jordan Phillips from close range after Maxwell’s header – from Westcarr’s excellent cross –
came back off the woodwork. Hucknall had opportunities to make their lead more comfortable before the break, with chances falling to Oliver Brown and Jamie Crawford, but neither player was able to hit the target.

However, less than two minutes into the second period, the Yellows doubled their lead through Maxwell, who rose excellently to head home Brown’s cross from the left flank.

While Hucknall then found themselves in a comfortable position, the game was far from over, and the visitors worked hard to try and find a way back into the contest. They looked fairly threatening from set-pieces; Thomas Klinkovics and Herbie Panten each went close with headed efforts, but they could not find a way past Keaton Sharpe, who was making his competitive Yellows debut in goal.

With nine minutes of normal time left to play, the victory was sealed by Nelson, who raced away from the visiting defenders and tucked the ball into the net neatly, to the delight of the home supporters behind the goal.

By George Wilson