Hucknall Town's unbeaten home record in the league ended by Dunkirk

Hucknall Town's unbeaten home record in the league was abruptly ended on Wednesday night (30 September) by a rampant Dunkirk side who produced a clinical display to win 3-1 at Watnall Road.

The visitors made a flying start with Lorcan Hickey heading them in front just five minutes into the match. Hickey found himself unmarked in the Hucknall penalty area and nodded home a precise cross from the right, to give Dunkirk a dream start.

Aaron Large doubled their advantage twenty minutes later as a late surge into the box saw him evade the attention of the Hucknall defence, and latch on to an accurate cutback, before dispatching his shot into the bottom corner of the net.

Hucknall began the second half well and were on the front foot in the early stages. They soon got their reward as Craig Westcarr fired them back into the match after Grant Ryan's initial shot had rebounded off the post.

However, it didn't take long for Dunkirk to restore their two goal advantage. Thomas Batterham dispossessed Lenford Jenkins as he tried to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick on the right hand side of the penalty area. Batterham then lashed the ball into the top corner giving Hucknall's goalkeeper, Jake Pearson, no chance.

This moment proved decisive as the goal seemed to sink Hucknall and they proved unable to find a way back into the match despite creating some good chances.

After the full time whistle, Hucknall manager Andy Graves spoke exclusively to Hucknall Nub News.

On losing their unbeaten home record, he said: "I'm disappointed to lose any football game. I've got a feeling in there today that some players probably don't feel it as much but I feel every single loss, especially when you see what we created and the chances we missed, it's so frustrating. I'm trying to keep calm about it and try and be positive but it's pushing me to be honest. I'm probably one of the most positive people at the club but it is pushing me I must admit.

"We created but we need to start being ruthless and taking them chances and give the lads at the back some protection as well. I think Craig Westcarr's coming in for some needless criticism, and I don't know where that's coming from or why.

"I don't think there should be any criticism really it's been two games and there's been mitigating circumstances for both but people will, they'll implode they'll look for somebody to blame. We'll try and change it Saturday but at the end of the day, the ball in the back of the net is the only thing that will win a game of football."

The defeat keeps Hucknall fifth in the table. Tomorrow (2 October) they travel to Heather St John's to play Hinckley AFC.