Vase dream smashed in hammering

HINCKLEY AFC’s Wembley dreams were ended as FA Vase favourites Marske United advanced to the fifth round with a comfortable 5-0 win writes Liam Gibbs.

Hinckley were comprehensive winners at this stage last year when they put five past Berkhamsted, but they were on the receiving end this time.

The visitors endured a difficult afternoon from as early as the second minute when Adam Wheatley gave Marske the lead, but the tie was killed off with three goals in five minutes just before the break.

And Marske, a class above throughout, cruised through the second period with ease, adding a fifth goal through Michael Roberts.

Marske used the slick surface at Billingham Town’s ground to their advantage, and parity lasted for just 94 seconds.

A recycled ball fell to Wheatley on the edge of the box, who was allowed too much space to turn and side foot home.

Marske continued to have the better of the play, but after the goal Hinckley defended well on the whole and restricted Marske to efforts from range. Debutant goalkeeper Carl O’Neill tipped over Craig Gott’s well-struck free kick, before Hinckley broke forward for a rare attack and Luke Richards sliced comfortably off target.

As Marske retained the ascendancy, Roberts, Danny Earl and Gott all had halfchances to extend their lead, Hinckley’s task not helped by the forced substitution of Bekir Halil after just 15 minutes.

But they made it through to the half hour without further damage, and it was they who threatened next They came agonisingly close to an equaliser on 35 minutes, when Isaac Cooper’s free kick was nodded goalbound by Richard Munday, whose effort was cleared off the line.

But any hope Hinckley had was slashed on 37 minutes. Munday was dubiously sent off for a foul on Earl in the box, and Gott stepped up to convert the penalty.

The controversial red card killed Hinckley off, and Marske were clinical in putting the tie to bed. Leon Carling rose highest at the far post to nod home a corner, and the home fans’ cheers had barely died down when Chay Liddle stroked home a wonderful finish from the edge of the box to make it four.

That left Hinckley shellshocked by Marske’s late onslaught, and in truth the second half wasn’t much of a spectacle. Marske kept the ball at will, moving it superbly on the impressive pitch at Billingham leaving Hinckley chasing shadows.

The fifth goal came eight minutes into the half. Richard Lavery pulled up with an injury, and Marske took advantage as Earl got in behind and squared for Roberts to slot home from close range.

Steve Hart had the ball in the net but was ruled offside as a demoralised Hinckley sought a consolation, but the damage was done at the end of the first half and AFC were powerless to stop Marske marching on in their quest for Wembley.

Following the match interim manager Richard Lavery said he felt some players had let the side down.

He said: ““I’ve been let down by five or six players today. That’s disappointed me. The fans are obviously gutted and I’m devastated.”

To see Lavery’s full post-match inverview head to the Hinckley AFC Youtube channel at: https://www.youtube. com/channel/UCwt4hE95rHEkhV_6mcm35A