Hucknall Town 2 Mickleover RBL 2

Report by Hannah Harlow

Town team:

1 Adam Jablonski
2 Cayne Maxwell
3 Lenny L J Jenkins
4 David Leak
5 Jordan Phillips
6 Tom Hubbard
7 Jamie Crawford
8 Michael Banister
9 Adam Nelson
10 Matt Brian
11 Joe Ashurst

Subs
Jack Smith
Aaron Short
Montell Gatland
Shane Newton
Ethan Greenidge

Hucknall came into this afternoon's match on the back of another midweek victory over Long Eaton United in the floodlit cup. Mickleover were hoping to get back to winning ways after their recent defeat at the hands of Holbrook St Michaels.

Fan favourite Matt Brian found himself back in the starting 11 and Joe Ashurst was also back to reclaim his number 11 shirt.

The Yellows started brightly and there was a chance for Crawford 2 mins in only cleared by RBL number 5.

Hucknall found themselves 1-0 down after 15 minutes, a foul just outside the area allowed Mickleover to take the lead through a free kick.

With both teams tackling the fierce winds, both teams found it hard to gain any kind of momentum. Banister was awarded a free kick 17 mins but turned out to be easy for keeper in the end.

Yellows searched for equaliser and were nearly in with a quick 1-2 between Hubbard and Nelson with Nelson taking the shot that went just wide.

The first yellow corner of the game saw Crawfords ball curve in as AD toe poked the ball in to the Mickleover goal.

Town found themselves in front a few minutes later as Brian heads the ball in from a corner ball and the RBL defence are stood looking at each other.

Brian nearly found the back of the net with his head again but went shyly over the bar.

36 mins in Hubbard found himself with some space in midfield and has a shot slightly wide.

The first half began to fizzle out as sloppy passing and over thinking became a pattern and Town will have been happy to be heading in 2-1 up.

The Yellows began the second half with a little more purpose, though corners were proving a hard task and many of them behind played short. Ashurst managed to find himself with enough room for a shot but it blasts wide and high, hitting the stand roof.

The RBL keeper makes a good save from a free kick 15 mins in sec half, with both teams looking to build some momentum and keep hold of some possession.

Jamie Crawford saw his name in the referees book after a foul on the left hand side. The Mickleover free kick finding itself in the Hucknall area and a foul by Jordan Phillips lead to Mickleover being awarded a penalty for their equalising goal.

Graves saw this as his opportunity to make a change and a tired Nelson made way for Shane Newton.

As the temperatures dropped Hucknall found themselves grafting to keep the score level.

Graves made two further changes with Brian off and Gatland on and Short in for Jenkins.

After only a few minutes on the pitch Gatland saw his first chance whisper just wide of the post. With 10 minutes left Hucknall began to find some possession but some soft touches and a linesman who was slightly too eager with his offside flag left Hucknall frustrated. A couple of throw ins and a corner gave Hucknall some hope but nothing came of any of them despite Hucknall piling into the box.

On full time Hucknall will be pleased with a point from a game against a very good and well organised RBL side and will be looking to next Saturdays game against Swanwick with caution after their recent win over title chasers, Matlock.