Seal’s stunner from long range sets side up for easy victory

MIDS DIV ONE

TWO goals in each half gave Hinckley AFC a comfortable 4-1 win over Pershore Town at St John’s Park, writes Liam Gibbs.

After an impeccably observed minute’s silence in memory of Matt Gadsby, Hinckley started strongly. Ryan Seal and Sean Williams linked up well throughout, the first sign of their partnership coming when they combined for Lee Butler to fire over.

Just 14 minutes had passed when Hinckley opened the scoring in fine style.

Williams’ lay off fell perfectly for Seal inside the centre circle, who spotted former teammate Tom Cross off his line and hit a first time shot from just over the halfway line that sailed past the stricken keeper.

It was a stunning goal well worth the admission fee alone for the 167 in attendance, and set Hinckley’s tone for most of the afternoon.

The hosts continued to move the ball well and stretch the Pershore defence, doubling their lead midway through the half when Williams’ shot took a wicked deflection and ended up in the bottom corner.

It took until the half hour mark for Pershore to threat- en the Hinckley goal, when Jamal Clarke had to clear off the line after Jamie Clarke poked past Haydn Whitcombe.

The only time Hinckley really loosened their grip on the game was in the first 10 minutes of the second half, but any hopes Pershore had of clawing themselves back into the game were dashed shortly before the hour mark.

Butler reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box, with his cross hitting Steve Webb and rebounding over the line to give Hinckley a third.

Williams could have added another when his close range effort hit the bar, but AFC didn’t have to wait much longer for the fourth. Shaun Griffiths saw a second yellow for bringing down Butler in the box, and Seal converted the spot kick.

Hinckley still couldn’t keep their first clean sheet of the season though, conceding when Jamie Clarke prodded home at the far post after Jean Kalenda was dispossessed.

It was nothing more than a consolation for Pershore though, and Hinckley’s controlling performance set them up well for the FA Vase trip to Holbrook Sports next week.