Hucknall Town 1-2 Ashton United

Saturday August 29th --- UniBond Premier Division

Watnall Road is the nearest ground to where I live, and as I wanted to get back in time to see Man U v Arsenal, Hucknall being at home was an ideal fixure for me. Not US you will note -- Kev's away at the coast leaving me as "Billy No-mates" again. No-mates was right as well. .. the only two people I spoke to all afternoon were Hucknall's Chairman Dave Gamble and my old F.A. friend John Waterall -- and the only reason I spoke to Mr. Gamble was because he was on the turnstile and was quite happy to relieve me of my £8.00!!

Hucknall have had a massive player clear-out since they were relegated to the UniBond Premier last season. Manager Bryan Chambers has drafted in almost a new squad - but as the majority of them are from lower leagues, they looked a little lost at times. The most experienced players in the Yellows' starting eleven were defenders Gary Sucharewyzc and Deon Meikle, both these players were at Watnall Road last season.

Never seen Ashton United before - and knew none of their players at all. Their main striker goes by the delightful name of Marlin Piana - and although the no. 9 had a relatively quiet game, he scored both the goals that handed the Yellows defeat.

Both teams began the game cautiously, and looked very evenly matched. Hucknall front man T.J. Nightingale went close with a header on 13, but it was wide player Terry Hawkridge coming in from the right who caused most of the problems for United. It was the former Carlton Town man that set up the games opening goal on in the 24th minute. He was given too much room down the right and he had time to pick out DEON MEIKLE on the far stick. The ex-Eastwood Town academy player hammered a terrific left foot volley that flew past Ashton keeper Terry Smith at his near post. It's usual to say "the keeper had no chance" - and on this occasion the keeper really did have no chance -left grasping at thin air as the ball fizzed past him....

Lee Whittington tried his luck from 35 yards when he spotted the visiting keeper Smith off his line. The ball was heading for goal, but Smith managed to back track and manged to push the ball over the bar for a corner.

The scores were level two minutes before the break - a neat cross into the box from the left met with a delicate glancing header from MARLIN PIANA that sailed past Yellows' keeper Dan Haystead. H-T 1-1

Called Kev at half-time - he'd been playing beach cricket and was a bit miffed that he was picked to be in the ladies side in a men v women game .... said something about man-boobs I think - but it wasn't a very clear line........ !!!

Anyone who was a bit late returing to their seat would have missed what turned out to be the winning goal - it was timed at 22 seconds from the restart! A ball punted forward from the kick off saw Gary Sucharewyzc and Marlin Piana in a race to get the ball. Gary has never been a 10 second 100-yarder and PIANA won the race, controlled well and slotted the ball under Haystead.

Hucknall created a few decent chances in the second period and saw a couple cleared off the line, but Ashton looked very composed and keeper Smith was not over-worked. Town were maybe worth a point, and on this showing they should take heart from what was, on the whole, a very good performance. F-T 1-2

Admission £8

Attendance 231

Car park £1

Monday. off to Field Mill again -- Stags v Kettering Town