Ryan’s penalty kick seals league victory for Hinckley AFC side

MIDLANDS DIV ONE

A LATE penalty from Ryan Seal gave Hinckley AFC their first win of 2016-17 with a 2-1 triumph away at Stafford Town, writes Liam Gibbs.

Seal sent Connor Alderman the wrong way from the spot in the first minute of stoppage time, grabbing all three points for the visitors on a night where they were far from their best.

Earlier Seal had cancelled out Shepherd Machinguata’s opener and the sides looked destined for a point apiece until the late spot kick.

AFC started brightly in their quest for an early goal, Ryan Blagborough clearing Seal’s effort off the line and Nick Wellecomme heading over the bar.

But Stafford scored with their first chance of the game on 17 minutes.

It was a chance gifted to them by Hinckley’s lapse in concentration at the back - Lee Thomas’ back pass put Tom Cross in trouble, and the keeper’s clearance hit Machinguata, rebounding straight into the path of the striker, who tapped home.

The same player then glanced a header wide as Stafford grew into the game, but Hinckley were back level pegging again on the half hour.

Seal latched onto Darious Darkin’s through ball, coolly slotting past the Alderman to level.

After the break, though, Hinckley were lacklustre and couldn’t find the rhythm that would threaten the home defence.

Indeed, it was Stafford who came closest to finding the next goal. Queenton Mananse cut inside Thomas, and crossed low where Machinguata was thwarted by Cross’ fine low save.

Then, Hinckley hearts were in onrushing mouths as Mike Harvey’s clearance hit Ryan Paddock and, with Cross beaten, the ball trickled onto the post and Mark Williams was on hand to clear.

Just as the clock struck 90 minutes, Hinckley found their winning goal.

Wellecomme’s feet were taken from underneath him by Matt Bartlett, and Seal did the rest from 12 yards as Hinckley’s supporters breathed a collective sigh of relief on the full time whistle.