Men Snatch 24-23 Handicap Cup Win at Grantham

The Hucknall men dug out a dramatic win away at Grantham in the Notts Handicap Cup on Thursday night, edging the contest by a single goal once the handicap was settled - a result that needed a storming final period to pull off.

On paper it was a tough ask. Under the cup’s handicap the hosts were handed a five-goal head start, beginning the contest 12 goals to Hucknall’s 7 before a ball was thrown. That meant Hucknall had to win well in the pool to make up the difference - and they did exactly that, taking the match itself 17-11 and turning the head start on its head.

Hucknall settled quickly and traded goals in the opening quarter, Swainson with a brace and Burbanks on the mark, but a level 3-3 period left Grantham’s cushion untouched. The second was where the visitors really got going: Eccles rattled in a hat-trick and Burbanks added two more to take the quarter 5-3 and start eating into the hosts’ lead.

The third stayed tight, Endy finding the net twice with Brodie-Kalay and Eccles adding one apiece to win the period 4-3 - but with the head start still in the bank, Grantham went into the final quarter a couple of goals to the good.

That set up a grandstand finish. Hucknall came out for the fourth needing goals and got them, winning the period 5-2 - Eccles adding two more, Ballaam chipping in a brace and Endy rounding things off - to overhaul the cushion at the last and win the contest.

It was at the back, though, that the contest was really won. Reuben Wall was a steady presence in goal, and the numbers tell the story: Hucknall shipped three in each of the opening three periods but clamped down when it mattered most, conceding just twice in the final quarter to make the 5-2 swing possible. Grantham leaned heavily on Scarborough for their goals, too - he claimed six of the hosts’ eleven, leaving the rest of the home side just five between them as the Hucknall back line largely smothered the supporting threats.

Eccles was the standout, top-scoring with six on the night, with Endy and Burbanks adding three apiece, Swainson and Ballaam two each, and Brodie-Kalay grabbing one. For Grantham, Scarborough led the home effort with six.

A real test of character to chase down a handicap on the road and find the win in the closing minutes - cracking result, lads. Many thanks to both referees.

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