LRFC play off bid is dented by the Tulips

SPALDING UNITED 2 HINCKLEY LRFC 0

HINCKLEY LRFC fell to a disappointing 2-0 defeat away to Spalding United on Easter Monday.

Two goals before half time saw Neil Lyne’s sides hold on the playoffs decrease against the now league leaders.

Spalding’s height and strength allowed them to dominate set pieces at both ends and allowed them to limit

Hinckley to very little chances.

Hinckley’s first chance came after 12 minutes, when a long ball forward and a switch of play from Louie Gill to Aaron Nuttall, saw the latter cut inside on his left foot before firing a shot just wide.

The Tulips took the lead after 25 minutes when Nathan Stainfield utilised their height when he headed home from a corner.

Four minutes later, Hinckley nearly equalised when a freak opportunity fell to Spencer Edwards. A long ball forward got the centre half got caught in the air by the wind, carrying it forward catching the Spalding keeper off guard. Despite looking like it was going in, it wasn’t to be as it bounced just wide.

Then in first half stoppage time, Spalding doubled their lead when Hinckley committed to play down the right, allowed Riley O’Sullivan and Kieron Dawes to break free with the first unselfishly playing the latter to slot it past Will Highland.

In the second half, Hinckley pressed the hosts as they tried to find a way back into the game whilst Spalding tried to see out the game.

It was a relatively quiet second half expect for when Highland was called into action twice with a diving save to his left from a free kick and a one on one save with an outstretched leg.

It was always looked like it was going to be a difficult fixture against a side who move into first place in the league. But with five games remaining in the season, Hinckley can look towards fixtures that they will feel are definitely winnable as they continue their push for a playoff place.