Hucknall will now look to carry their early-season momentum into Saturday’s FA Cup tie, with both managers keen to use the competition as another opportunity for the squad to build belief and togetherness.

JD – Yes, I can’t wait. It’s the FA Cup next week, and Rudy and I have a lot of good memories in the competition. We want to create more for the players in there because it is all about them. We can talk about our plans and strategies, but our job is to help them achieve. So, the FA Cup? We cannot wait.

After training last week in preparation for the AFC Mansfield game, the duo were asked whether the players would use Fusion Saunas again.

JD – We will see. We’ve got a lot to do in preparation for the cup game next week. We will train Tuesday, reassess things and look at the players’ legs. If we need to go to the sauna, then we’ll go again. It was a really good experience and, as well as using it for recovery, it was good for the lads to get together and carry on building that relationship because we are a relatively new side. There are five or six from last season, but apart from that it is a new group.

Rudy – You can probably see the relationship between JD, myself, Jock and Jesse on the management side and the players. There is such incredible camaraderie at the moment and to form that in such a short time is hard to do, but we have done it. Hopefully we can build on that, and that is what we are trying to do here at Hucknall Town.

Desborough are also in fine form, boasting a 100% record after three wins from three in the southern section of the GCE Hire Fleet United Counties Football League. They began their league campaign with away wins against Coventry Sphinx and FC Peterborough before beating FC Stratford at home on Saturday, so they will provide a tough test for the Yellows. Hucknall also go into the tie with confidence after Saturday’s 2-0 away win at AFC Mansfield. Gabriel Ebede opened the scoring after Ethan Greendge’s right-wing throw was headed on by Callum Orange, before a scramble in the box ended with Ebede steering a right-footed shot into the bottom corner. The Yellows’ second came after good work from Trev Lindo, who won the ball and sent Callum through the middle. Callum shrugged off the AFC defender and chipped the keeper. Rudy and JD then reflected on their time at AFC Mansfield, the win, and the team performance from back to front.

Rudy – We spent a considerable amount of time here at AFC Mansfield, where I was manager, and JD was my captain. To be perfectly honest, we had some incredible times here in the FA Cup, the Vase and the league. Today we witnessed another great afternoon, but this time in yellow and black. It was a great performance from the lads. We watched AFC Mansfield and knew what they were all about. They are a good side; they are stubborn, and they put a shift in, so to win 2-0, keep a clean sheet and take three points away from home — what more can you ask for?

JD – For me, I echo everything Rudy said. It was absolutely brilliant here. We knew at times it would not be pretty and that we had to work hard, be nasty and frustrate them, then wait for them to make mistakes. We asked the lads to trust in our game plan. Rudy went to watch them; I have seen plenty of them over the years, and we had an idea of what to do to win the game. The lads executed that to a tee. We can come up with a strategy, but it is up to the players to actually do it, and they did it brilliantly.
Rudy – It was a classic away performance. Whether you are away or at home, you need some tactical knowledge, and you have to set the team up in the way you want to play. Every game is different, but we do our homework. At the end of the day, that is probably why we have played two and won two so far. When you do your homework, you get so much information. To be perfectly honest, over the years we have accumulated a lot of collaborative experience. You cannot buy that, and at the moment we have plenty of it.
JD – Callum’s goal was fantastic, but also a shout to Trev Lindo because he won the ball. At times he can overplay it a little bit, but he got his head up and played a great ball into the area, which is what we ask him to do. Callum is a big lad, but he can shift. He got past the defender, and then it was about whether he had the composure to finish. He lobbed it, and I thought it was going over, but when it landed in the net we were absolutely delighted. He worked so hard, did everything and deserved his goal.

Rudy – Also, when Alfie made that save, he was on the opposite side of the goal and produced a Banks-style save against Brazil. When you get performances like that, individually and collectively, you always know you are in with a good shout. To be perfectly honest, when we went back into the changing room, the coaching staff were level-headed. We tried to explain to the lads: you got the win, so enjoy it with your family, enjoy it with the fans and enjoy it with the club. But it is back to work on Tuesday.

There will be an open training session this Tuesday. This will be a chance for fans to meet players and management.

Open Training Session

Supporters planning to make the trip can find the key matchday and travel details below.

Saturday’s game will take place at VPK Stadium, Braybrooke Road, Desborough, NN14 2LJ.
The club is still awaiting official ticket prices, but the most recent advertised prices were £8 for adults, £4 for concessions and £2 for children.

Coach travel is available for our two upcoming cup fixtures:
Saturday 8 August: Desborough Town — FA Cup
Departure: 11.30 am

Saturday 29 August: Godmanchester Rovers — League Cup
Departure: 11.00 am
Prices: adults £15; children aged 16 and under £7.50.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.

To book your seats, contact the club on 07572 473037 or speak to Bob or Dawn at any game.