Hucknall Town are off to winning ways under new Manager Tris Whitman as the Yellows went to title chasers Lincoln United and won 2-1 in Saturday’s United Counties Premier Division North clash.
Lincoln took the lead early doors, but Hucknall almost immediately levelled through Niall Towle before an Ethan Hulley winner in the 73rd minute provided a shock upset in the UCL championship race.
Lincoln’s defeat, however, couldn’t be capitalised upon by league leaders Eastwood Community, who despite signing former Lincoln City and Notts County midfielder Terry Hawkridge from Worksop Town in midweek, lost themselves to Bourne Town 3-1, Craig Westcarr getting nothing more than a late consolation after the away side had pulled themselves away with all their goals coming in the second half.
Those defeats by the top two mean that Bourne, now in third, close the gap to just four points on Eastwood, but with the Lincolnshire side having two games in hand means a two-way race has opened up to others involved.
Don’t rule out Newark Town who beat Belper United 1-0 thanks to their club legend Lewis Chambers coming off the bench and netting a late winner. Or either, AFC Mansfield who beat Sleaford Town 2-1 with goals from Kaylum Mitchell and Jack Gibb.
Newark are fourth in the table level on points with third placed Bourne having played a couple of games more, AFC Mansfield are a point below them on 34 points from 18 games, which is 5 points below Eastwood who have 39 from 18 sitting top.
Two other UCL Premier Division North games involving Notts sides at the weekend, Newark & Sherwood United drew 1-1 at Skegness Town whilst Kimberley MW were beaten 1-0 at Wisbech.
In Division One, Clipstone still lead the way by three points despite 2-1 defeat at Retford, two goals from Nico de Girolamo helping the Choughs go fourth, same town rivals Retford United are third after beating another of the promotion chasers Gedling Miners Welfare at Mapperley Plains, Kieran Knight giving the Badgers a first half lead which was rounded off by a last minute Brandon Kane strike to give United a 2-0 win.
In what looked to be the game of the day, Rainworth MW beat Dunkirk 3-2 whilst Radford beat Coalville Town 2-0 thanks to Kuwesi Ofushine and Dorian Sulkowski. Stapleford Town drew 2-2 at Blackstones, Clifton lost 1-0 at home to Pinxton, Selston were thumped 5-1 by Clay Cross whilst West Bridgford were beaten 3-0 at home to Staveley Miners Welfare.
*Article provided by Daniel Peacock (Editor).
*Main image @LincolnUnited action as Hucknall took all three points at Lincoln.
