Hucknall flying high despite fixtures problems

But boss Andy Graves admitted it was proving tricky to get any momentum going due to the gaps between league fixtures.

Hucknall had already won 3-0 at Mickleover RBL in their opener and put AFC Kilburn to the sword 8-1 two weeks ago.

But, with their game at Eastwood being abandoned last week the Yellows have no more CML South games until Wednesday, 20th September with an FA Vase game on Saturday, 9th September and two more blank weekends either side of it.

“It doesn’t help with continuity,” admitted Graves.

“We should have been playing Greenwood Meadows this Saturday, but they dropped out the league.

“So we have another break and it’s ages until we play in the league again as we play Clay Cross in the FA Vase on 9th September.

“Then there is another blank weekend until we play our next league game which is a Wednesday night away at Sherwood and a big game for both clubs on the 20th.

“We will have to use the reserve games to try to keep players sharp. We can use at least five players in each reserve game. We might have to try to arrange a game as well.”

Graves is away on holiday in Spain still but managed to watch the win over Matlock live.

“The lad that was going to Skype the game for me couldn’t make it in the end, but I still watched it through Facetime – where there’s a will there’s a way,” he smiled.

“I managed to pass a few comments on.

“Phil (Henry, assistant manager) and Stevo (Paul Stevenson, coach) managed everything really well – they need some congratulations as they don’t often get any.

“I can’t complain – winning 6-0 against Matlock, who are not a bad side.

“I felt we got the second goal at the right time as they were just starting to get a bit of a foothold in the game.

“They were making us make a few mistakes. Then we scored a second and a third and three more in the second half.

“I know 6-0 sounds comfortable but our goalkeeper has still had to make three or four good saves, so the game wasn’t totally without things we need to sharpen up on.”

Graves added: “There were some good goals and Shaun Smith, who we brought in, scored a hat-trick. He deserved it as well.

“We though he would be a big asset and he’s doing really well, as they all are. We had one or two injuries but the players who came in all did well.”