Hadn't planned on going to this game - but thought it may be interesting to see how Des Lyttle's men were shaping up, and to see the return of former Yellows boss Tommy Brookbanks to Watnall Road with his new charges, Stamford FC.
Teams :
Yellows - Lindley, Walker, Baxter, Duik, Graham, Lloyd, Gregory C, Gregory A, Ryan, Massingham, Brady. Subs : Armstrong, Pearson, Goodacre, Allen, Platt.
Daniels : Ziccardi, Cook, Barratt, Staff, Chamberlain, Pheasant, Beeson, Deane, King, Mullarkey, Watson. Subs : Smith, Toyne, Gibson, Whitby.
Had a chat to Mansfield Town boss Paul Cox prior to kick off - he said he isn't too happy how his team are playing at the moment, but was quick to point out that the Stags are one of only 30 teams, at Conference level and above, who have lost only three games since the league season started. (Stat not checked !!).
Rob Hornby greeted me as I entered the ground - he was with the Stamford FC press officer who kindly let me copy from his team sheet. Watched the game in the company of Fred T Kirk - physio extra-ordinaire. You want treatment for sports injuries? Fred is your man...
I spent half the first half wondering where I knew Anthony Gregory from - then when someone called him by his nick-name "Chink" it clicked -- Arnold Town via Dunkirk - although he was most recently at Eastwood Town.
Not a lot to say about the game - it was poor... no, strike that - it was awful. The first half was a non event, and the second half, although the visitors did score twice, was hardly any better.
It was a player that Brookbanks took to Stamford from Hucknall who broke the deadlock on 47. I was having a chat to injured Yellow Dean Gent, when NATHAN WATSON tried his luck from 35+ yards - somehow the ball went under Town keeper James Lindley's his body and into the net, much to the amusement of the few Stamford fans behind the goal.
The second goal came 6 minutes later, full back KIERAN WALKER stabbing into his own net at the far post after the ball was played across the goal from the right wing. Not a lot the young man could do to get out of the way, but again the Stamford faithful went into raptures!
Hucknall looked ineffective against a well marshaled Daniels defence, and in desperation, resorted to long range efforts, most of which flew onto the roof of the Watnall Road stand. F-T 0-2
Des Lyttle has his work cut out for him in his new post as Hucknall gaffer - so far he has seen three games played with no wins ...conceding 9 goals and scoring only twice. Could be a cold, long, hard winter!!
Admission £7
Programme £2 (adverts take up 15 pages out of 28) really not worth £2 in my opinion....
Attendance 171
The game that I originally had pencilled in for 26th Nov, was Carlton tn v Market Drayton Tn - finished 5-2 to Carlton - damn!!!!
