NKF edge frantic derby against AFC
A frantic second half saw five goals and a red card as Hinckley AFC were edged out of their local derby 3-2 by NKF Burbage, writes Liam Gibbs.
After a goalless first half where neither keeper was really tested, the game sprung into action after the break when Oli Bradshaw was sent off for the hosts.
Hinckley then led, but let their lead slip as they have so often this season when the hosts turned the game around. when he nodded a free header wide.
In a torrential downpour after half time, the wind and rain made conditions difficult but the game sparked into life seven minutes into the second period when Bradshaw jumped into a lunge on Hollist and was given his marching orders.
And Hinckley made their extra man count when they took the lead on the hour. Hamilton’s corner falling for substitute Dave Jones to turn home just six minutes after coming on for his debut.
But the lead didn’t last - and just four minutes later the hosts equalised. A free kick on halfway wasn’t fully dealt with, and Smith’s finely struck effort from 15 years dipped and swerved into the top corner.
Hinckley didn’t keep the ball well enough against the ten men despite having the better chances as Burbage fought to a man.
Wilson was denied a one-on-one by Nathan Astill’s fine last ditch challenge - and that proved crucial when Burbage took the lead with 20 minutes to play. Hinckley were caught on the break, and Smith was at the heart of the hosts’ move again as he pulled back for Josh
The visitors then looked to have salvaged a point through Chris Hollist, but they gifted their hosts a win when Tom Smith netted five minutes from time.
The momentum swung back and forth in the first half, Burbage taking control early when they twice came close through Smith - their biggest threat throughout.
But Hinckley grew into the game, and themselves had the better of the next stage of the game as Jor- dan Wilson, Louis Hamilton and Palmer linked up well.
Louis Hamilton twice shaved the post and Jordan Wilson was let down by a heavy touch as AFC fought back despite playing against the wind and the slope.
But the latter stages of the half were quieter as the hosts just shaded the moments before the break. Jack Whitehurst’s header was cleared off the line, but Jake Brown missed their best chance
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Now faced with an uphill battle, Hinckley had the better of the opportunities after that and Hamilton came within inches of scoring what would have been a goal of the season contender. He danced past four or five challenges as if the NKF defenders weren’t there and poked past Alec Hill but seeing his shot bounce off the inside of the post, agonisingly around the other post and out for a goal kick.
Not to be deterred, they pulled level three minutes later as the frantic nature of the second half continued. Jason Lee’s free kick fell for Hollist to steer into the far corner and give AFC hope that they could snatch a win.
Indeed, after Burbage fired a half chance over, Hinckley came close to leading again when Lee was denied by a fine save from the onrushing Hill.
And from potentially saving his side from defeat at one end, Hill instead sparked their win five minutes from time. His long goal kick was poorly defended, AFC beaten by one long ball from the keeper as they watched Smith run on and slot home a simple chance to hand Burbage all three points.