Hinckley AFC retained the Simon Blyth Memorial Trophy after a 4-2 win over Heather St John’s.
Courtney Belford’s first game in charge was a closely fought one at the break, after Lewis Commins has cancelled out Ross Dempster’s opener for the hosts.
But Michael Wright’s second half double, along with one for Luke Delaney, helped AFC to victory in their pre-season opener.
The first half was well contested between two even sides, with little goalmouth action of note.
There were two goals though – Dempster breaking the deadlock just ten minutes in.
Hinckley, though, fought back and levelled ten minutes later when Heather’s Luke Hennessey miscued a header, which fell kindly for Commins to convert from close range.
In the second half, though, Hinckley were the better side and took the lead on the hour. Commins turned from scorer to provider with a low cross which substitute Wright converted just minutes after coming on.
Again, the lead didn’t last – Heather substitute Quinton Mawase levelling again.
But AFC finished strongly and when Delaney restored their lead with a fine strike from the edge of the box, they didn’t relinquish it.
Indeed, they extended it further late on when Wright bagged his second with a near finish and skipper Bekir Halil could get his hands on the trophy.
AFC are back in action on Tuesday evening with the trip to another Premier Division side in Romulus.
