Hinckley AFC 0-2 Tamworth

Hinckley AFC’s first ever home match was watched by 215 people who saw a 2-0 defeat to Conference North side Tamworth.
It was a very creditable result for Hinckley, who created chances of their own in an affair that was shaded by the side from four levels higher in the non-league pyramid.
There were few chances for either side early on, but Hinckley had the ball in the net after seventeen minutes, only for the assistant referee to rule that the ball had earlier gone out of play.
Ten minutes before the interval, Hinckley’s Craig Bannister was set up after a weaving run from Justin Nisbett, but he dragged his shot wide of James Belshaw’s far post.
Tamworth then took the lead four minutes before half time. Hinckley disagreed with the decision to award Tamworth with a corner, and from it Shane Clarke converted a cut back from the byline.
A multitude of changes were made at the interval, but Hinckley continued to battle against their higher ranking opponents.
Shortly before the hour mark, Tamworth forward David Hibbert met Danny Sleath’s pinpoint cross, but his header was well saved by Hinckley ‘keeper Matty Martin.
Both sides then had chances to add to the scoresheet: Hinckley’s best chance of the match came when Nathan Walker stole the ball from a Tamworth defender, but substitute goalkeeper Phil Smith was out quickly to deny him.
Shortly after, Hibbert hit the post with a glancing header, before Tamworth doubled their lead with five minutes remaining, when Sam Brookes headed in a right wing corner.
First Half: Steve Taylor, Lewis Gorle, Chris Sockett, Greg Webb, Simon Johnson, George Williams (Richard Robinson 30), JJ Melligan, Matt Bailey, Justin Nisbett, Craig Bannister, Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell
Second Half: Matty Martin, Greg Webb, James Bennett-Tindall, Avun Jephcott, Richard Robinson, Bekir Halil, Adrian Jones, Nathan Walker, Craig Bannister, Justin Nisbett, Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell
Picture courtesy of Matt Buchan