Bourne losers... Hinckley make it 13 wins in row
HINCKLEY AFC extended their winning sequence to 13 matches to stay top of the United Counties Division One, writes Liam Gibbs.
But they had to work hard to overcome a two-goal deficit against a stubborn Bourne Town in front of more than 220 fans at Kirkby Road.
Two sensational early strikes gave the visitors a shock lead but three home goals turned the tide in AFC’s favour before the break.
And though they couldn’t add any further goals after the interval,
Hinckley were never in danger of surrendering the points from that stage.
A home win seemed a distant prospect after the opening 10 minutes and Bourne went in front inside two minutes. A corner was cleared to the edge of the box and Taylor Gray tried his luck successfully with a shot into the top corner.
And the home crowd were stunned into silence shortly after as Bourne extended their lead with a wonderful strike.
Matt Hill came out of his area to stop an attack, but his clearance only found Dan Wilson 25 yards out on the left-hand touchline and his precise shot sailed over the frantically back-pedalling keeper and dropped into the net.
Hinckley were in a hole, but two goals in as many minutes midway through the first half dug them out. Ryan Slinn scored the first with a neat finish from the right-hand angle of the box after getting in behind the Bourne defence.
And the cheers had scarcely died down when Tyson Knight drew them level with a bullet header from Harry Sawyer’s right-wing cross.
The turnaround was complete 10 minutes before the break. Ryan Harkin timed his run to perfection to beat the offside trap in receiving Luke Wilson’s pass and producing a composed finish that’s become his trademark.
It was a breathless first half that gave way to a more subdued affair after the interval. AFC dominated possession but struggled to break down a solid rearguard action from a disciplined Bourne defence.
While Hinckley rarely looked like conceding, they couldn’t force another goal that would have given them a little more breathing space.
They did come close. Joe Cairns struck the base of a post and visiting keeper John Swales made a superb save at full stretch to keep out Lewis Rankin’s free kick.
But Bourne defended resolutely to keep themselves in the game, albeit they rarely looked like grabbing an equaliser.
It wasn’t a vintage Hinckley display, but the character they showed in coming from behind should stand them in good stead for what’s likely to be a nervy run-in to the end of the season.