Convincing win sparks AFC hopes
HINCKLEY AFC continued to step up preparations for the competitive season with a 5-2 win at Cradley Town.
In their final friendly against step six opposition, Dom Smith, Jake Healy, Isaac Cooper and Kyle Minto all got on the scoresheet as Carl Abbott’s side recorded their second away win this pre-season.
Abbott’s side were in control from early on, and it was just the fourth minute of the game when Smith rose highest to power home a header from a corner.
Cradley equalised just five minutes later, but the goals continued to flow and it was just the 16th minute when Healy restored AFC’s advantage with a low drive across the home ‘keeper.
Midway through the first half, Cooper made it 3-1 with a fine strike from range after neat build up play as Hinckley took a two-goal advantage into half time.
It wasn’t to last, though, with the home side pulling another goal back just a minute into the second half.
And two late goals added an element of emphasis to the scoreline, Cooper firing home with another good strike before Minto capitalised on a defensive lapse to round the ‘keeper and slide home into an empty net.
AFC will play two more friendlies, Bedworth United (away) on Saturday (July 29) and Barwell (away) on Tuesday (August 1) as their preparations for the new season.
Competitive action begins on Saturday August 5 with an FA Cup qualifier away against Worksop Town.
The Midland League Division 1, in which AFC finished runners-up last season, kicks off on Saturday August 12 (3pm) with an away fixture against Stafford Town.
Beginning his fourth year as manager, Paul Abbott said after a previous friendly against Shepshed: “I think this is the strogest group we’ve had and I’ve never been so sure that a group will deliver for us.
“I’m not predicting they’ll go and win the league, but they won’t let us down.
“They’ll give us everything they’ve got, leave no stone unturned and we’ll find out at the end of the season whether that’s enough.”
A full interview with Carl Abbott and Paul Tomlinson on their pre-season thoughts can be seen at the Hinckley AFC Youube channel.
The victory against Cradley came following news former AFC defender Alex Penny had become the first former club player to join a Football League Club.
After his move to Nuneaton Town last summer, Penny impressed enough in his debut season to earn a move to Peterborough United. The deal was confirmed on July 19. He made the move for an undisclosed fee which is understood to break Nuneaton’s record for highest fee received for a player.