Williams and Kalenda book date in next round

FA VASE

HINCKLEY AFC progressed to the second qualifying round of the Buildbase FA Vase with a 2-0 win at Holbrook Sports, writes Liam Gibbs.

It was by no means a classic on a pitch that cut up as the game wore on, having been slickened and softened by their earlier rain, but in truth AFC were comfortable throughout.

Carl Abbott’s side had control of possession, though it took until the 78th minute for Sean Williams to break the deadlock.

And the win was confirmed shortly afterwards when Jean Kalenda curled home a second.

Hinckley started on the front foot in their pursuit of back-to-back wins for the first time this season, keeper Chris Dodsley pushing Mike Harvey’s header around the post early on.

Holbrook’s best spell of the game came with Isaac Minott having two of their best chances, but he spurned both - first failing to test Haydn Whitcombe from Gary Drake’s cross, and then calling the Hinckley keeper into action with a neat save.

Hinckley were soon to regain their control, but lacked a cutting edge as Dodsley was sparsely tested.

As half-time approached, Lee Butler’s corner somehow found its way through to Kalenda at the far post, but the ball hit the Hinckley centre back and bounced kindly for a goalline clearance.

At the start of the second half, chances were few and far between as Holbrook’s defence held firm, but as the half wore on AFC came closer. Isaac Cooper flashed a shot across goal after Williams’ great turn, before Darious Darkin’s 20 yard strike flew narrowly wide.

Hinckley finally found the breakthrough with 12 minutes to go. It was a long time coming, but Williams’ moment of magic finally gave AFC the ascendancy as he cut inside from the left and fired into the bottom corner from outside the box.

Williams was then close to a second as his volley was blocked, but from the resulting corner Hinckley doubled their lead. Dodsley didn’t connect fully with a punch from Butler’s corner, and the ball eventually fell to Kalenda, who curled into the far corner to give Hinckley some breathing space.

James Williams came close to adding more emphasis to the scoreline, but Hinckley were comfortable in their progression to face Greenwood Meadows.