Match Preview: Birstall United

Hinckley AFC will be looking to reach the Jelson Homes Senior Cup Final for a second consecutive season when they take on Birstall United in the Semi Final tomorrow evening, kick off 7-30pm.

Last season, Carl Abbott’s side beat Barlestone St Giles at this stage of the competition with a 2-1 victory, before falling at the final hurdle against Bardon Hill.

This year they will look to go one better, and play their last four tie against a Birstall side who are second in the Leicestershire Senior League.

Four points behind leaders Sileby Town but with two games in hand, a league title is a definite possibility for Birstall and they’ll hope to cause an upset over their Midland League Division One opponents tomorrow as they aim for a league and cup double.

Birstall have beaten Kirby Muxloe Reserves and Blaby and Whetstone Athletic Reserves to reach this stage of the competition, while, like Hinckley, they received a walkover in the Second Round.

Hinckley have beaten Ashby Ivanhoe Reserves and league rivals Leicester Road to get this far.

Birstall were the only step seven side to make it through to the last four, with Oakham United, from the United Counties League Division One, and Aylestone Park of the East Midlands Counties League the other two sides to make it this far.

Rutland’s highest ranked side, Oakham await in the Final after they beat Aylestone Park 3-1 in the other Semi Final last week.

Tomorrow’s game will be played on a neutral ground, at Aylestone Park’s Mary Linwood Ground on Saffron Lane, Leicester, LE2 6TG.