Abbo on Semi-Final Win

Hinckley AFC manager Carl Abbott was delighted to progress to the final of a competition that his side have ‘taken really seriously’ in their inaugural season.

The AFC boss said his side targeted the Jelson Homes Senior Cup as a potential piece of silverware and after yesterday’s 2-1 win over Barlestone St Giles, they are now just one game away. Abbott said: ‘We’re really pleased. This was something that we targeted in pre-season, and we’ve taken it seriously.

‘Though there was a lot of rotation and changes tonight, it was a very strong line up. We await next week’s game to see who we’ll face in the final, but it will be a very tough game.’

Abbott was also pleased with the way his rotated team adapted to beat the Leicestershire Senior League side, and praised the way they kept to their usual style of football.

‘The lads have done what we’ve asked them to do, we’ve played in our usual style, which isn’t always easy to do when you change personnel.

‘There are certain drills based on certain positions. Mitchell (Tomlinson) has had to move from full back and do what we ask Dom (Smith) and Mozza (Alex Morris) to do.

‘I thought they did fantastically. It was nice to come and play on a pitch that really suited our style. We lost our way in the second half, but it’s a cup tie, a semi-final, and they threw everything at us.

‘I don’t know much about them (Barlestone), maybe they played above themselves, but it was a really tough game, a really tough second half, and as I say, we’re pleased to get through.’

Abbott also praised the way Justin Nisbett has returned to the side since the birth of his son over the New Year period, as well as fellow winger Luke Richards.

‘People will have noticed how hungry he (Nisbett) has been in the last two games, and that’s the third game he’s started since he came back after the birth of his son.

‘He came to training before that first game, and he is really, really hungry for his football. He’s probably a little bit rusty, because in that period of time he wasn’t training.

‘Since that Uttoxeter game where I felt he let himself down with what he can put into his game, he’s been a model player, he’s been great and like I say, he’s so hungry for his football.

‘Luke was fantastic again, he was devastating and he got us off on the front foot right from the kick off. We’re blessed with wingers at the club, but they can all play elsewhere.

‘Justin and Luke can both play through the middle, Tyrone Clarke can play, as he did when he came on tonight, through the middle. We’ve been fortunate that players have been able to adapt to different positions because it makes it easier to maintain the squad as we have.’

Michael Healy also started the game last night, and Abbott urged the former Alvis striker to be patient while he waits for opportunities in the league.

‘He’s a brilliant player. He’s really raw and we’re enjoying working with him. I keep saying that I just hope he’ll be patient enough because there’s so much we can add to his game.

‘There are so many players he can learn from here, he’s still a great age, he’s a local lad and I think it’s better for him here than being the top dog at a club like Alvis.

‘He just needs to have a leap of faith in us, because this is a frustrating time for him. There have been two games where he hasn’t come on, and it does weigh heavily on my mind because I am aware of that, but it was nice because he was always going to start tonight as a centre forward.

‘He’s another player that I would never have any qualms about dropping in, in a big game. He’s a brilliant player.’

The number of changes made last night highlights the depth of the squad’s ability, according to the former Wolves Casuals boss, who has managed ‘big numbers’ in recent weeks.

‘We’ve got a fantastic squad. I’ve said for some time now that there aren’t many clubs that could have maintained the numbers that we have. Football has a funny way of working itself at times, and when you think you’ve got an abundance of numbers it all works itself out.

‘With a little bit of rotation, and a good understanding between the players, a good team ethos and all the lads buying into it, we’ve managed some really big numbers without a lot of fixtures.

‘It’s paid dividends tonight, because with the difficulty in getting here for the early meet there’s been a big rotation and we’ve fielded a side that you never really doubted would be strong in the game.’