FOUR-SOME display as AFC book semi final spot

HINCKLEY AFC 4 STAPENHILL 0

HINCKLEY AFC followed up Saturday’s impressive win with another resounding 4-0 victory on Monday night to see them into the semi finals of the League Cup at the expense of Stapenhill, writes Liam Gibbs.

Despite making a number of changes, Joe Conneely’s side kept up the momentum from the weekend and two goals in each half ensured a smooth progression.

Though the result was the same, the game was a contrast to the weekend win. Back on a 3G surface, AFC returned to their favoured passing game and they used the ball well throughout, particularly during an impressive first half display.

Once again they took an early lead with a superbly worked goal. A quickfire exchange of passes on the edge of the Stapenhill box opened up the visiting defence and Lewis Collins applied a neat finish.

Boosted by that early goal, Hinckley dominated.

The tempo was good as they attacked with real purpose and created a series of chances, Jac Redhead and Danny Fraser both pinged shots against the bar and Sam Ellis was inches wide before they eventually extended their lead five minutes before the break. Redhead dispossessed Swans keeper Paul

Hollis in his own area and laid the ball back for leading scorer Chandler Pegg to rifle the ball into the roof of the net to continue his prolific form.

AFC looked to seal the game early in the second half, the impressive Robbie Bunn showed great footwork to create a chance for Pegg whose header was saved on the line by Hollis before skipper for the night Fraser added a third, picking up a loose ball on the left hand edge of the area, this time his aim was true as he drilled his shot into the bottom corner.

Safe in the knowledge progress was assured, Hinckley made a number of changes, including the return of Nick Brandish for his first appearance of the season after injury.

And the game was drifting towards a conclusion before Isa Abraham capped it in time added on, a solo goal that’s fast becoming his trademark as he cut in from the left flank before curling his shot home inside the far post to round off Hinckley’s semi-final spot.