After a Christmas Sabatical partly down to family commitments and this dreaded Cold/Flu bug that`s doing the rounds refusing to relent.... Dudsey has finally got to his first game since the Festive Season.Rainworth`s local derby against Belper this afternoon would have been my probable game of choice but Hucknall`s current situation has pulled me over to Watnall Road to watch them take on Brigg Town.
Having only managed to muster up eight players last weekend against Loughborough Dynamo the club surely needs as much support as it can get.. !!. The result of the game (13-0) was of little significance, one nil..thirteen nil, it`s still only three points, the main issue was how could a once well run and supported club find itself in such dire straights..?
The valiant efforts of the eight players who stood up to be counted last Saturday has touched a nerve in the local football community and after a much publicised appeal for players...no less than forty turned up to training on Thursday night, hence a full complement of seventeen are listed on the home-sides team-sheet which is an incredible feat and with the addition of Darren Kelk to the coaching staff, let`s hope some stability can be restored at the Club.
Glancing at Briggs team selection, the old pairing of Danny Buttle and Paul Grimes who have been recently re-united after the prolific strikers departure from Grantham and with the added bonus of Liam Davis, skipper Ryan Paczkowski and Bruno Holden in attack, the scales look heavily balanced in favour of the visitors.
With no real expectations from the Hucknall Faithful, the home-side set about their business with a nonchalance which in the main served them well for the first twenty minutes,Warren Hatfield and Kyle Ludlow are running their socks off for 'The Yellows' but Brigg are firmly in charge with Grimes, Davis and Paczkowski featuring heavily for the visitors.
Hucknall are not without the odd foray down towards James Green`s goal but with little upfront in the form of real firepower it all fizzles out before it`s reached the eighteen yard box. Hucknall`s keeper Alex Malong pulled off an amazing double save to deny Brigg the opening goal of the game as the visitors queued up in the box.
Eventually the quality of 'The Zebra`s' broke the deadlock on the half hour as Grimes sneaks into the six yard box to slide the ball beyond Malong`s reach. Liam Davis added a second five minutes before half-time and the game seems to be falling into everyone`s pre-empted expectations.
A nice touch of hospitality was much appreciated from Chairman Dave Paling and Ivan Sanders at half-time and a chance to catch up with the Evo-Stik`s No1 hospitality Magpie..Brian Dennett (Brian`s had more free snap than your average Seagull). Only Joking Brian..!! I spend the bulk of the second half with Malc and Kev who write the excellent 'On the Road' Blog.
The second half was always going to be down to experience and fitness and Brigg are a side awash with both. Grimes and Davis are in their element as the home-side start to show their weaknesses. Hucknall`s woes were added to as James Leggitt`s wayward header dropped straight to the feet of Grimes who 'thank-you very muched it' straight into Malong`s goal just short of the hour.
'The Yellow Army' had a brief moment of cheer as within two minutes of Grimes` second as the home-side were awarded a penalty which Rob Paling slotted easily beyond Green`s reach, 1-3 on the hour.
Despite the evident gulf in player quality, the newly assembled 'Yellows' are not giving up the cause but eventually the lack of experience and match-play together leaves them very exposed at times.
The introduction of Danny Buttle for Brigg really adds the final piece to an already impressive strike-force, he`s full of running and is zipping up and down the left-wing like a Jack-Rabbit. Right back..Mark Dudley is also now parading up front with Buttle as 'The Zebras' continue to stampede as the pressure upon Hucknall`s defence becomes relentless.
Paczkowski adds a fourth, followed by Grimes` hat-trick with five minutes remaining and Buttle gets a last minute reward for his rampant efforts, 1-6 on the final whistle.
My Men of the Match - Obviously Grimes, Davis, Paczkowski and Buttle are quality players but Alex Malong, Warren Hatfield and Kyle Ludlow worked their socks off 'for the cause' today.
Irrespective of the score, no-one passing through the turnstile prior to the game would have given a side who had only been assembled some 72 hours prior to kick-off a prayer against a very good Brigg squad but for half an hour they contained them quite well.
The utmost respect to has to go to Rob Paling, Warren Hatfield and James Leggitt who have decided to stand by the Club and provide the basis for a squad when most chose to walk, and with the signing of some credible players who are doing it for nothing more than the love of the game... I honestly hope there`s a twist in the tale for all involved at Watnall Road.
Last of all...a mention has to go to Steve Peat, Hucknall Towns General Manager who has worked tirelessly to try and keep the Club intact....Good luck Pal and hope you get your Just Desserts..!!
Attendance - 141
Admission - £7
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