Hucknall Town up to third in the league following back to back wins

Hucknall Town recorded back to back league wins over the last two weekends to climb into third place in the Uhlsport United Counties League Division One.

The Yellows bounced back after suffering their first home league defeat of the season, at the end of September, against Dunkirk with convincing wins over Hinckley AFC and Holwell Sports FC.

A Craig Westcarr hattrick inspired Hucknall to a dominant victory against Hinckley on the first Saturday of October. There were also goals from Joe Ashurst and Aaron Short to ensure a comprehensive victory for the visitors. The only slight disappointment for Hucknall was that a last gasp consolation goal from Charlie Evans denied them their fourth clean sheet of the season.

This emphatic win was followed by a return to winning ways at Watnall Road on Saturday (9 October) as Hucknall came from behind to beat Holwell Sports by three goals to one.

Having trailed 1-0 at half time thanks to a goal minutes before the interval, Hucknall responded well with Westcarr one again vital in helping the team collect all three points chipping in with a goal and an assist. It was his clinically dispatched penalty that pulled Hucknall level early in the second half.

Joe Butler was then the first to react when Grant Ryan's shot was parried by the 'keeper, and he prodded the rebound into the back of the net just before the hour mark to put Hucknall in front.

Westcarr then turned provider late in the game cutting the ball back for Jordan Phillips who smashed the ball into the back of the net.

Hucknall then had Cayne Maxwell sent off for a second bookable offence with seconds remaining but it wasn't enough to take the shine off what had been another good performance from The Yellows.

Speaking to the club's website, manager Andy Graves said: "We're pretty pleased after that. There wasn't a lot wrong with the first half other than the tempo; we created some good chances, particularly in the first ten minutes, so it was frustrating to go in one goal down.

"The reaction straight after half time was really positive and we started to move the ball about at the right tempo which I think is ultimately why we managed to turn it around.

"They made us work hard but we did exactly that and thankfully got the win which was what we all wanted from today."

Of Craig Westcarr's performance, he said: "I think he [Westcarr] is deceptive, and I don't think some people have realised it yet. Because he isn't running around screaming and ranting, I think certain people don't think he's working hard, but he's working very hard.

"That third goal was scored because he used his intelligence when it looked very difficult for him to create an opening. A lot of players would've given up on that ball but he managed to pick out Jordy [Phillips], who finished it really well."

Hucknall are back in league action on Wednesday when they make the trip to Spondon to face Graham Street Prims.