Hinckley AFC’s defence of the Jelson Homes Senior Cup came to an abrupt end with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Leicestershire Senior League side Lutterworth Town.
The visitors went behind at St John’s Park through Isaac Cooper’s early goal but had the character to turn the game on its head, with quick fire goals from Kade Lewis and Mark Warren giving them a half time advantage.
And for all AFC’s second half possession, they couldn’t break down a resolute Lutterworth defence and, like the defence of their silverware, their ten game unbeaten run came to an end.
Carl Abbott made four changes to his injury-hit side after Saturday’s gruelling extra time win over Wolves Sporting, including handing a debut to Kirtis Monson. There was also a place on the substitutes’ bench for Lewis Riley, who became the first player from Hinckley AFC Juniors to take a place in a senior team’s matchday squad.
And all looked to be going to plan for AFC when they took the lead nine minutes in. From a corner, Cooper ran to the front post and side footed home to give his side the lead.
But Lutterworth continued to press high, and Hinckley were rarely allowed the time to be comfortable on the ball.
It was just after the half hour mark when Lutterworth pulled level. Again, it was a corner which brought about the goal as Lewis beat his man, and rose highest to net a fine header beyond Haydn Whitcombe.
Just moments later, the game had turned on its head when Warren bent a free kick around the wall which nestled in the bottom corner via the inside of the post.
In contrast to the first half, the second saw Lutterworth happy to sit off their opponents and allow AFC the vast majority of possession, but Hinckley were unable to truly test the visiting ‘keeper.
The closest they came to the elusive equaliser was when Jamal Clarke found space in the box from a free kick, but his free header from six yards was straight at the ‘keeper.
Then, Cooper couldn’t convert his second of the night with a far post header as time started to run out.
And AFC were unable to find the equaliser to extend their run in this season’s Senior Cup, and the defence of their title is over.
Hinckley: Haydn Whitcombe, Isaac Cooper, Kirtis Monson, Lee Thomas, Jamal Clarke, Peter Williams, Sean Williams (Connor Pugh 84), Andy Westwood, Ryan Seal, Paul Sullivan, Javia Roberts. Subs not used: Lee Butler, Lewis Riley, Leadun Dunlevy, Tom Millington
Goal: Isaac Cooper (9)
Lutterworth: Kristian Bee, Shaun Leslie, Louis Samuels, Mark Warren, Luke Shaw, Kade Lewis, Shaquille Brooks, Rhys Roberts, Marshal Keenan (Fraser Snowball 88), Jordan Small (Liam Taylor 56), Tendai Daire. Subs not used: Anthony Roberts, Oliver Brewin, Jake Smith.
Goals: Kade Lewis (31), Mark Warren (34)
Attendance: 149
