A rampant first half saw Hinckley AFC march into the qualifying rounds of the Emirates FA Cup with a 4-1 win over Aylestone Park.
AFC made it to the qualifying rounds for the second time in three years with a comfortable win over their Leicestershire rivals, which was effectively over by half time with Carl Abbott’s side four goals to the good.
George Bowerman’s second brace in as many starts set Hinckley on their way, with Sam Agar and Darious Darkin adding to AFC’s lead before half time.
And although Aylestone Park pulled one back late on, it wasn’t to dampen Hinckley’s spirits and it is they who eagerly await the draw for the next round on Monday.
Abbott made three changes to the side that were comprehensively beaten by Walsall Wood on Tuesday. Centre backs Francino Francis and Dom Smith were replaced by Alex Morris and Richard Munday, while Bowerman returned up front.
And any idea of a hangover from Tuesday’s defeat were quickly put to bed. Just six minutes had passed when Hinckley went ahead – Sean Williams beat his man and fed Bowerman, who calmly slotted over ‘keeper Tom Gutteridge.
On Tuesday, Hinckley didn’t take advantage of the spells in which they were on top, but the same criticism couldn’t be levelled at them this time.
Two goals in three minutes put them in cruise control of the tie by the 20 minute mark. Bowerman added his second with a deft chip over Gutteridge after springing the offside trap, before Agar added a third, tapping home after Williams’ shot was parried.
Hinckley’s use of the ball was superb during the opening 45 minutes, and they capped off a fine first half with a fourth goal seven minutes before the break. It was a goal of Darkin’s own making, as he danced past a pair of defenders before firing into the roof of the net from 20 yards.
With the scoreline at 4-0, the second half was more evenly contested but AFC still looked comfortable – even with ten men after Darkin hobbled off when Hinckley had used all three substitutes.
Agar had the chance to make it a five star Hinckley performance with four minutes to go when he won a penalty, but his weak effort from the spot was comfortably saved by Gutteridge diving away to his left.
The visitors grabbed a late consolation in stoppage time, when Ryan Foster drove home to deny Hinckley a clean sheet.
But that won’t bother Carl Abbott’s side too much, and they advance to the first qualifying round to be played on the weekend of 2nd September.
Hinckley: Haydn Whitcombe, James Williams (Bekir Halil 64), Joe Haines, Sean Williams, Alex Morris, Richard Munday (Mitchell Tomlinson 64), Lee Butler, Darious Darkin, Sam Agar, George Bowerman (Jake Healy 64), Isaac Cooper. Subs not used: Ben Rad, Asa Wright
Goals: George Bowerman (6, 16), Sam Agar (19), Darious Darkin (37)
Aylestone Park: Tom Gutteridge, Liam Donaghy, Chris Acott, Luke Batson, Kieran Neat, Sam Carline, Nick Colford (Callum Armsden 68), Lee Tyres (Luke Dalby 70), Jouel Potter (Jason Lee 71), Zak Yusef, Ryan Foster. Subs not used: Adam Orton, Andy Hulley, James Smith, Rich Edwards
Goal: Ryan Foster (92)
Attendance: 172
