Fittingly, goals by two local lads both called Jordan book-ended a crushing victory that sealed a memorable league title for Boston Town.
Jordan Tate made it 1-0 after 29 minutes when he stroked home a low curling shot after being set up by the jinking Bruno Andrade. And Jordan Nuttell nabbed the sixth in injury time as he flicked home Matt Cotton’s cross after good work on the left by Fraser Bayliss.
Tatey and Nutts are two of the longest-serving players on the team, having played more than 600 games for the club between them.
They typify the loyalty of a core of players who have gone through some dark days together but have a built a sense of team spirit that has underpinned the success they have now achieved.
Since being appointed as manager in October 2024, Chris Funnell has undoubtedly brought in some high quality players who have lifted the Poachers to new heights.
But it was satisfying to see the continuity at the heart of a team that’s made history. Eight of the squad who played against Hucknall have made at least 150 appearances for the Poachers, with Fraser Bayliss, Luke Wilson and skipper Richard Ford having all made their debuts more than a decade ago.
While Tate was having an outstanding game in central midfield, another home-grown star was causing havoc on the right wing. Harry Limb has been back to his blistering best in recent weeks, so it was no surprise when his sheer persistence created the second goal 11 minutes into the second half.
He won the ball and found Cotton in a dangerous position, who unselfishly laid it off to Zak Munton. The former Bourne forward, who now has back-to-back promotions, made no mistake from close range.
At 2-0 and with news filtering through that Sherwood Colliery had been pegged back to 1-1 at Blackstones, the home fans started to believe it really was going to be their day.
Four minutes later, Cotton wheeled away to celebrate after his header from Ford’s long throw was diverted by Hucknall defender Dillon Rawson past his own keeper.
Now the party could really start in earnest in front of a healthy crowd swelled by fans who had presumably decided to give Boston United a miss. Credit should also go to Hucknall’s noisy away following who added to the atmosphere.
There was no dispute about the scorer of the fourth goal as Cotton powered home a header from another delicious Limb cross after 70 minutes.
Limb himself deservedly got on the scoresheet after 84 minutes to make it 5-0 when he deftly lifted the ball over the advancing keeper Alfie Smith-Eccles.
The last word went to Nuttell in the dying seconds before the final whistle signalled jubilant scenes.
Town: Portas, Ging (Gibbons), Smith (Archer), Tate, Ford, Wilson, Andrade (Bayliss), Maddison (Priestley), Munton (Nuttell), Limb, Cotton
Pic: Steve Davies
Words: Simon Ashberry
