AFC leave it late in derby clash
STEVE Hart’s winner three minutes into stoppage time grabbed a last gasp three points on derby day for Hinckley AFC, writes Liam Gibbs.
On a bitterly cold afternoon against local rivals Nuneaton Griff, Hart popped up with virtually the last action of the game to prod home the winner and spark jubilant scenes of celebration from Hinckley’s players and fans alike.
It was arguably harsh on the hosts, who battled valiantly and restricted Hinckley’s chances after Luke Richards had cancelled out Jack Colley’s first half opener.
Hinckley weren’t at their best and it was the hosts who started the brighter.
Just three minutes had passed when Richard Lavery blocked from George Brindley.
The opener came on the quarter hour mark. Hinckley will feel it was they who should have had the chance to score it, but the referee awarded only a free kick on the edge of the box when Bekir Halil looked to have been felled inside it.
With Hinckley still seething that a penalty wasn’t given, Griff countered straight up the other end and Colley was sent through on goal, coolly slotting his side in front with a neat finish.
Going behind didn’t spark Hinck- ley into gear, andiser.thehostsretainedthe upper hand. Hinckley had the better of the pos
Lewis Cummins was denied by Ty Belsession and territory in the second half, ford, before Colley somehow failed to but Nuneaton battled and defended double his tally when he skied over from well to keep Hinckley’s chances to a a yard out. minimum.
As the half meandered to a conclusion, Indeed, their only real sight from open Richards prodded wide in Hinckley’s first play came when neat football down the sight of goal. right led to Marcus Jackson squaring for
Hinckley would have known they Richards, but a bobble put paid to his would need to improve after the break if chance and the ball ballooned over. they were to take something from the And it looked as though the sides game, and the message clearly got would have to settle for a draw – until the through. 93rd minute. They were level inside two minutes. A lofted ball in behind the defence Hart’s well weighted ball down the line gave Hart half a chance, and he lofted was met by Richards, whose persistence past the advancing O’Neill with the outand endeavour saw him outmuscle Frazside of his left foot to spark celebrations er Mullis and bare down on goal from the as Hinckley left it late for their seventh left, coolly side-footing home the equal- win on the bounce.