Hucknall Town crash out of the FA Vase with home loss to Gedling Miners Welfare

Hucknall Town exited the Buildbase FA Vase in the First Qualifying round yesterday (Saturday 11 September) after they were beaten 3-1 by Gedling Miners Welfare.

A below par Town were outplayed by a well organised and creative Gedling side that began the match at a high tempo.

It took them just seven minutes to take the lead, Liam Corrigan diverting Courtney Hastings' shot into the back of the net.

Three minutes later, Hastings had a goal of his own, producing a composed finish into the bottom corner after a flowing team move.

Hucknall responded well with a Jordan Phillips header warming the gloves of Gedling goalkeeper Matthew Simpson before a free header from a corner smashed the post and bounced clear.

A fine save from Simpson with his legs later in the half also maintained the visitors' two goal cushion.

The second half began in quite a tight, scrappy manner until just before the hour mark Hucknall grabbed a goal to pull themselves firmly back into the tie. Craig Westcarr crossed the ball from the right and at the back post an unmarked Joe Ashurst thundered a header home. This was an almost instant impact as Ashurst had been on the field for all of two minutes, as the first substitute called upon by manager Andy Graves.

Just five minutes later, Hucknall's momentum was halted as Sam Sims was sent to the sin bin for dissent.

Gedling duly capitalised on their man advantage, and three minutes later Niall Hylton cut in from the right and curled a delightful shot into the top corner which gave goalkeeper Jake Pearson no chance.

From that point, Hucknall looked bereft of ideas and deflated as Gedling managed the game nicely to the final whistle.

The Yellows will now switch their focus back to the league where they find themselves fifth in the table, just two points off the top.

Their next league fixture sees them travel to Graham Street Prims on Tuesday night.