The RM Stadium, the new home of Hucknall Town based in Nottinghamshire and are competing in Step 6 of the Non League Pyramid in the United Counties League Division One.
A new era for Hucknall Town! A new ground that has been in the pipeline for a number of years is finally open and in action. Groundhoppers assemble! It’s the second ever game at this ground and I am expecting a lot more hoppers tonight alongside me, the Merry Miller and Match Days Joe! Let’s see! Hucknall Town vs Bourne Town with both teams in the play-offs.
Straight onto the M1 and off at Junction 37 onto the A608 and into the new ground! Into the players and officials car park, they are a good bunch! VIP army! £6 for this match! Busted! Plenty of time to kill so let’s have a little look. Those floodlights are a bit bright…
Into the bar and… STUART!!! Haven’t seen him since football came home! Along with a few other Mansfield fans and fellow hopper Anders! I’m sure there’s going to be more! Match Days Joe has arrived and now for his first look at the ground and to kickstart the Match Days vlog!
“Don’t go causing any trouble like you did at our ground!” Graeme Holmes has made the journey, but what trouble could he be talking about…? Moto hopper Tim is here, Neil, Vinny and Luke PL2NL is here, the team really is strong tonight! Out come the teams! “YELLOWS!” Let battle commence!
Kick Off! 13 minutes in and Bourne play down the left, it’s crossed in, number 9 with the header… Wide! He went for the money shot and ended up bankrupt…
22nd minute and Hucknall get it out right, it’s crossed in, Craig Westcarr flings himself at it… Over and wide.
There is nothing between the 2 teams here in this half with both sides keeping each other at bay… Will something happen?
38th minute and Bourne win a free kick on the left just outside the box, it’s driven in… It’s come back off the post… Hucknall get it away from goal… So close!
3 minutes later and Hucknall come forward, it’s played into the box and it goes up in the air… Keeper comes and punches it but Hucknall get it back and play it out right, it’s crossed in… OH! It’s headed in to his own net… Number 6 is the culprit for Bourne and Hucknall have the lead! The Bourne keeper sees the funny side and says it’s the best finish he’s seen all season! 1-0!
44th minute and Hucknall have a goal kick which is hit long, Bourne win the header and it’s headed forward to number 9 who has broken free and he’s away here, he gets into the box and he shoots… Saved! Keeper to the rescue but it is a corner, in it comes… Hucknall clear. A relatively even first half ends 1-0 to Hucknall.
Second half, great to be joined by Dave Woodings here now as well! 51 minutes played and Hucknall play down the left, it’s crossed in and Jamie Crawford goes for it and so does the keeper… Keeper makes the save but he’s clattered into Crawford who is down and the Referee stops play.
This game sadly hasn’t improved and there are very few chances here… It’s a good job there’s a lot of hoppers here tonight to keep me occupied!
76 minutes now and Hucknall have the ball in midfield, Joe Ashurst is going for goal from about 45 yards……… OH! Keeper gets there just to claw it away and Bourne get there to clear, what a goal that nearly was!
80th minute and Bourne come forward, number 8 plays a 1-2 and shoots from the edge of the box… Straight at the keeper!
87th minute and Bourne have it in defence… They’ve lost it and Hucknall are away, they get into the box on the left and it’s played across for Craig Westcarr… TO SEAL THE POINTS FOR HUCKNALL!! 100% record at their new home rolls on! Bourne left to rue that mistake… It’s the kind of goal that makes friends fall out on FIFA! “YELLOWS!” 2-0!
Into added time and Hucknall break forward, they get into the box on the right and it’s put on a plate for Knight, is this number 3…? NO! He’s skied it! He could have really rubbed it in there!
Play goes on… Bourne’s number 2 drives into the box on the right… Ooooooh… Penalty! he was brought down there and I am with the Referee for this one! Is there time for a grandstand finish here? Number 9 steps up… And he rolls it down the middle into the net! 2-1!
“Come on Ref!” Nervous? Hucknall Fans? You should be because here come Bourne again… A foul in the Hucknall half and it’s a free kick… Oh dear… The shot comes in… Deflected out for a corner and up goes the keeper, in it comes… It’s cleared for another one, in it comes again… OFF THE BAR! It’s gone out and that is it! A huge sigh of relief from the Hucknall fans!
FT: Hucknall Town 2-1 Bourne Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3/10 – Hucknall fans were pretty decent tonight but it wasn’t really rocking but I think it could be when the game is entertaining.
- The Ground: 6/10 – I really do prefer the old one… Watnall Road was a cracker but this is still a good set up! It has similar features to Watnall Road in a way with the behind the goal standing area, the main stand is fantastic! I’d say this is a Step 4 ground for now.
- Expense: 8/10 – £6 to get in, £20 on fuel, £5 for food, was it worth it? Nearly… Only the game can let you down in those situations…
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – Not the best of games but I certainly enjoyed catching up with everyone tonight! We did nearly get a grandstand finish as well but that was the only highlight of the game in all fairness.
25/40