AFC hit woodwork four times but miss out on win

IT WAS a frustrating Saturday for Hinckley AFC as they were held by struggling Studley at The Beehive, writes Liam Gibbs.

Carl Abbott’s side came into the game looking to keep up the pressure on the sides above them but a bobbly pitch didn’t make for a good spectacle for the travelling supporters.

Hinckley hit the woodwork four times overall but couldn’t find the winner, settling for a point as Javia Roberts replied to Danny Ludlow’s opener for the hosts.

Without being totally dominant, AFC started the brighter but couldn’t take an early head as they were thrice denied by the frame of the goal. Brad Carter made a stunning point blank save to push Sam Agar’s effort onto the bar, before James Williams also headed onto the bar and Javia Roberts struck the base of the post.

Studley also had an effort cleared off the line and then had a chance to punish Hinckley for their missed chances when they were awarded a penalty, but Gareth Evans was denied by Whitcombe’s fine low save.

The deadlock was finally broken 27 minutes in. Hinckley were caught trying to overplay and Ryan Paddock was caught on the ball by Ludlow, who curled a first time effort into the far corner.

Not to be deterred by going behind, Hinckley kept knocking on the door and the equaliser came 10 minutes later. Carter called for the ball but was beaten to it by Agar, who rounded the ‘keeper and pulled back for Roberts to convert a chance he couldn’t miss.

But if the first half saw plenty of chances, the second was a scrappy affair and in its early stages neither side did enough to take the lead again, though Whitcombe had to be at his best to deny Ron Adjei.

For the final 20 minutes Hinckley stepped up the pressure in trying to get their ninth win in 10 games. Agar had a smart snapshot comfortably saved by Carter, before firing straight at the ‘keeper after being sent through on goal.

Then, substitute JJ Melligan crashed an effort against the bar with his first touch as Hinckley were denied by the woodwork for a fourth time.

Their dominance increased when Studley went down to 10 men with five minutes left when Evans got himself a needless a second booking for holding onto the ball, but despite seeing a number of efforts blocked Hinckley couldn’t force the ball over the line and Studley held out for a point.