New boss watches on as AFC lose lead four times
HINCKLEY AFC saw a lead clawed back four times as Heath Hayes took a point from St John’s Park in an action packed encounter writes Liam Gibbs.
The stubborn visitors refused to be beaten and never let Hinckley get out of sight despite the home side leading on four separate occasions.
Ryan Baldwin’s lob, a Steve Hart brace and a Richard Lavery assisted own goal all put Hinckley in the driving seat during the afternoon, but each time their defensive frailties were exposed by their visitors in an enthralling encounter.
Under the watch of new manager Dale Belford, there was certainly food for thought for the incoming boss as he looks to shore up the back line.
And less than five minutes had passed when Hinckley led for the first time through Baldwin’s floated shot that skimmed off a defender’s head on its way past Tony Allsopp.
Lavery and Luke Edwards then both went close to extending that lead as Hinckley enjoyed most of the opening play, but on 25 minutes they were pegged back. It was one of their former players who did the damage as Brad Rolston drilled home at the far post.
Hinckley went close at the end of the half through Edwards and Hart, and then were denied strong penalty claims at the start of the second half before Hart restored the lead just afterwards. Edwards rolled a defender and released his strike partner who cut onto his left foot and slotted into the far corner.
Not to be deterred, Heath Hayes fought back again and Regan Smith found the corner with a glancing header to restore parity.
Smith then fired well over as Heath Hayes sought to turn the game on its head, but it was Hinckley who scored next through Hart’s fine solo goal midway through the half.
But again, Hinckley couldn’t keep hold of their lead and Heath Hayes levelled for a third time eight minutes later through Dan Evans’ freak goal.
With the end-to-end nature of the game continuing, it was just four minutes later when Lavery’s header was deflected in from Isaac Cooper’s free kick.
But such was the topsy-turvey nature of the game, you always felt Heath Hayes had another goal in them and so it proved. Debutant ‘keeper Rhys Bills made a fine reaction save, but the rebound fell nicely for Adam Weldon to stroke into the empty net.
It proved to be the final goal of a thrilling game, but Hinckley were grateful to Bills for a strong save from Rolston in stoppage time to ensure they left the encounter with a point.