September 19, 2018

Hucknall Warriors FC Updates

blank


Axiomatic are pleased to announce a shirt sponsorship with Hucknall Warriors FC under 14s, for the remainder of the 2018 Autumn season. The lads play in the YEL Nottingham Saturday Winter Division 6, after gaining promotion from Division 7 last season. Due to the way the league is structured, a season lasts around 4 months, meaning there are two seasons per calendar year.

Throughout the year we’ll be bringing updates and match reports to you, detailing the teams’ journey through the campaign.


Results and Match Reports

Hucknall Warriors Winter 2018 Season

A superb performance from Hucknall Warriors against a very well organised and strong opponent. The first half hour of the match looked like the Warriors were in for a long afternoon, but not once did they hang their heads. At 2 – 0 down, they struck twice before half time to go in level at the break.

In the second half Warriors’ class showed as they began to take control. Leading by example Man of the Match Joel Rigley set strong foundations with his defending and passing range, enabling Warriors to stream forward. The game was secured soon into the second half, as goals from John, Corey, Reece, Ryan, Teddy & Jared highlighted the gulf in class between the two sides.
Sloppy defending and dangerous attacking from both sides ensured they left this contest with honors even. 15 minutes into the game Warriors were 1-0 up, thanks to a neat finish from Ryan. The lead did not last long however, as they were pulled back to 1-1, 5 minutes later. By the end of the half Woodhouse had taken control of the game, leading 3-1 at half time.

Hucknall came out strongly after the break, and within 15 minutes of the re start had made it 3-3. With the clock ticking it appeared that Woodhouse has nicked all 3 points when they made it 4-3 with only a few minutes remaining. Warriors didn’t let their heads drop, however. Joel Rigley scored an audacious goal from the half way line with virtually the last kick of the game, to ensure Warriors got the point their efforts deserved.
Goal blitzes at the opening and closing stages were too much for local rivals Hucknall Sports to deal with – as Hucknall Warriors earned a comfortable victory in the first derby of the season. Within the opening 15 minutes, Warriors raced to a 3 goal lead, courtesy of efforts from Reece, Ryan and Joel. Before half time however, Hucknall Sports brought it back to 3 goals apiece.

After the restart a quick goal from both teams ensured things stayed level at 4-4. 20 more minutes went by with neither team able to find an opening. As the game approached its conclusion, Hucknall Warriors went up a gear. Clinical goals from Joel, Reece, Cory and John in the final 15 minutes put clear daylight between the two sides, as Hucknall Warriors ended up comfortable winners.
After an even first half, Hucknall Warriors took control to send themselves top of the table on goal difference. Immediately Warriors started well, grabbing an early goal in the opening minutes. Kimberley Miners Welfare (KMW) responded impressively, getting an early goal of their own to leveling things at 1-1. Mid way through the first half, Joel and Jared score for Warriors to make it 3-1. KMW ensured however, that at half time the game was not out of their reach, nicking a goal right before the interval to make it 3-2 at the break.

Sloppy defending from Hucknall Warriors after the restart saw KMW score two quick goals, leaving Warriors 4-3 down 10 minutes into the 2nd half. This appeared to be a wake-up call for the lads, as they dominated from here on. They quickly had themselves an equaliser thanks to an outside the box effort from Reece. With the scores at 4-4 and the clock ticking, Warriors’ dominance of this period of the game began to show. They began to force mistakes out of the KMW defense and more goals looked a matter of “when” rather than “if”. A goal scored by Cory 5 minutes from time put Warriors in front, and then another from John sealed the points for Hucknall Warriors.
After a 3 week break Hucknall Warriors picked up where they left off with a hard fought victory against a strong Gedling Southbank. Warriors started the game slowly - showing signs of having 3 weeks off - and struggling to get up to speed. They found themselves 2-1 down midway through the first half. This seemed to shock them into life as only now they began to play like they knew they could. Warriors slowly started to gain more of a foothold in the match. At half time the score was still 2-1.

Within 5 minutes of the restart, Warriors had pinned Southbank back and brought themselves level. Warriors took advantage of their strong start to the second half and scored again to make it 3-2. From then on it was evident the lads were happy to hang on to their somewhat precarious lead. There were a few nervy moments, especially as Southbank poured players forward in search of an equaliser. Hucknall Warriors weathered the storm and clung on for a hard fought victory to keep themselves top of the table.
A below-par display left Warriors with only a single point from what, on paper, was a very winnable game. Warriors started brightly, with signs hinting that the game would be a routine win. 3 minutes in Warriors took the lead through Reece to go 0-1 up. In the following 15 minutes Warriors missed numerous chances to double their advantage. They were punished for their wastefulness half way through the first half - sloppy defending gave Radcliffe a leveller on 22 minutes. That spurred Radcliffe into life who started to create chances of their own. 1-1 at the break was, on balance, a fair reflection of the first half.

10 minutes into the second half Warriors re-took the lead through John to make it 1-2. Unlike the previous game however, they could not see the game out. Persistent Radcliffe pressure took its toll in the end, as they were rewarded with their second equaliser of the game with 4 minutes remaining, ensuring honours were even. Overall a frustrating day for Warriors, who missed out on the chance to increase their lead at the top of the table. Their closest rivals - Hucknall Sports Youth and Rainworth Juniors - have 1 and 2 games in hand respectively.
In their final game of the season, Warriors displayed a huge about of grit, determination, and character to come from 3-0 and then 4-2 down, to earn a draw against a fellow title contender. With both teams having lost only once all season, neither was prepared to see that run end.

Rainworth started off by far the brighter side, racing to a 3-0 lead inside the first half hour. There could be no complaints from Warriors who started off extremely sloppy in possession. On the cusp of half time however, Warriors restored some hope with Reece pouncing to grab a goal back – leaving the score 1-3 at half time.

Buoyed by the late first half goal, warriors were quick off the mark in the second period and within 5 minutes Reece had himself his second goal of the game to make it 2-3. Warriors began to take control of the game and were pressing for the equaliser. Mid-way through the second half however, and completely against the run of play, Rainworth counter-attacked form a Warriors corner to score their fourth of the game. This could have potentially been a turning point in the game if Warriors had let their heads drop. They kept at it though, and before long they reduced the deficit back to a single goal – John getting himself on the scoresheet. 5 minutes from time Warriors' comeback was complete. Reece netting the equaliser to complete his hattrick, cementing his man of the match performance in an exciting 4-4 encounter.

Season Summary

Warriors made the step up from a lower division and proved they belonged. The lads competed at the top end of the table all season, but ultimately narrowly missing out on promotion for what would have been the 2nd season running. A groggy opening day defeat, coupled with costly draws against beatable opposition, came back to bite them – meaning Warriors missed out on promotion by 3 points.