First win of the year for AFC

HINCKLEY AFC picked up their first win of 2020 as three first half goals helped them to a comprehensive 4-0 win over Chelmsley Town, writes Liam Gibbs.

In truth, Hinckley never looked like relinquishing the lead given to them by Ryan Ball on the quarter hour, with Lewis Commins and Luke Richards adding to the lead before the half time whistle.

And Brady Middleton added a fourth late on – with the clean sheet, a first since August, as pleasing to Courtney Belford and his staff as the four goals.

Belford made two changes to the side that lost out to Studley, Commins and Richards both returning to the side.

And Hinckley were in control from the off, going close when Josh Benton’s double saved denied Commins and then Ball, after Middleton had set the former through on goal.

It didn’t take much longer, though, for the opener. The visitors didn’t deal with Curtis Townley’s long throw, and Ball shifted onto his right foot to allow him the space to bend one into the top corner from 20 yards.

Chelmsley briefly threatened to hit back through Kieran Fitzgerald after a breakaway down the right, while Hinckley looked for a second when Benton denied Middleton from a tight angle.

Belford has urged his side to take hold of the key moments in games, and he could have no complaints in this one. Eleven minutes before half time, AFC doubled their lead when Middleton was fouled after playing a pass, but the referee played a good advantage which allowed Commins to cut inside his man and bury coolly into the corner.

Middleton remained provider for the third, upended in the box after a mazy run. Richards took hold of the ball and, after Shane Benjamin’s miss in the previous match, Richards made no such mistake as he sent Benton the wrong way from 12 yards.

That gave Hinckley the half time comfort, and they set about increasing that lead further after the break as they continued their stronghold.

Four minutes into the half, Middleton forced a fingertip save from Benton after great work down the right by Commins. From the resulting corner, Ky Green’s header was saved and Commins saw two follow ups blocked on the line.

Then, as Hinckley looked to make their lead more comprehensive, Middleton scuffed wide from Green’s header back across goal.

The sides then exchanged chances as Kye Dryden struck wide after a Chelmsley break down the right, before Ball’s fine knock picked out Richards, who again was denied by Benton.

The only time Hinckley’s clean sheet looked in doubt was with 15 minutes to play, when Fitzgerald’s fine attempt at a 25-yard half volley clipped the bar, while Hinckley hit the woodwork themselves moments later when Halil’s effort from another Commins pull-back was inches too high.

They did, though, grab a fourth with a minute to play when Middleton beat Benton to a long pass into the inside right channel, lofting over the ‘keeper for his second in two games.

For Hinckley, four goals and a clean sheet represents a fine response to defeat in their previous game.

HINCKLEY’S Leicester Road FC eventually ground out a 1-0 home win over Burton side Stapenhill to remain top of Midland Football League Division 1.

Compared to their freeflowing football in last week’s convincing away win at Cadbury, this was more about sheer determination and winning ugly – with midfielder Simon Alcott eventually slotting home on 85 mins for another clean sheet and three valuable points.

The Road began rather lethargically and in the first five minutes Stapenhill had two quite promising attacks that set the scene for the afternoon. On 6 mins, however, LRFC got in on the act when a neat one-two between Jordan Burrows and Liam Read saw the latter fire just wide from inside the box.

On 10 mins Stapenhill had another snapshot that stung the hands of LRFC keeper Will Highland and just minutes later a casual back pass almost put them under pressure again, but offside was given.

Highland was called into action again on 20 mins, but as play settled down Dominic Brennan latched onto a pinpoint Alcott cross and this time it was the Stapenhill keeper scrambling the ball clear.

Another swift counter attack by the visitors on 31 mins saw Highland anticipating the striker’s intentions and making himself big for a fine save, but minutes later the Road had a shout for a penalty when Burrows chased a lost cause ball down and the away keeper collided with him?

Stapenhill once more tested Highland on 36 mins, but on 40 mins a LRFC corner saw skipper Danny Jenno rise highest at the far post.

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