Quorn 3-4 Hinckley AFC

An end to end second pre-season friendly saw Hinckley AFC emerge victorious by the odd goal in seven on a warm afternoon at Quorn’s Farley Way ground.

New signing Deqwon Ebanks will take the plaudits: he scored a hattrick to give AFC the lead three times, but each time Carl Abbott’s side were pegged back by their Midland League Premier Division opponents.

The game looked all set to finish level, but Javia Roberts’ late goal snatched a victory for Hinckley with just two minutes remaining as the result was decided by two of Hinckley’s latest recruits.

Hinckley took the lead twelve minutes in when Ebanks latched onto a pinpoint through ball from Avun Jephcott and slotted home after rounding the goalkeeper.

But as the half wore on the hosts began to take control, and levelled midway through the half when Jack Hartopp was beaten after initially weathering Quorn’s pressure.

Then, Marco Adaggio headed Roberts’ cross narrowly wide, before Ebanks showed good strength in the final third, and giving AFC the lead again with a composed finish on the stroke of half time.

It looked as though Hinckley would go into the break on top, but Quorn levelled for a second time with the last kick of the half; a scoreline which they arguably deserved after responding well to a strong start by the visitors.

The second half had barely started when Ebanks bagged his third of the game, finishing well after being picked out by Adaggio.

Once again, though, Hinckley couldn’t hold onto the lead given to them by Ebanks, and Quorn levelled as Hinckley’s play broke down in midfield and Hartopp couldn’t prevent the ball finding the back of the net.

Hartopp then made a strong save at his near post, and it was to prove crucial as Roberts used his pace to good effect and carried the ball through a crowd of players to beat the ‘keeper from close range.

The result was decided by two of AFC’s new boys but there were plenty of positives from the supporting cast, giving Abbo plenty to think about ahead of Tuesday’s game at home to Tamworth, kick off 7-30pm.