Hinckley AFC could record a fourth win on the bounce with victory in this afternoon’s local derby at Atherstone Town, kick off 3pm.
Hinckley have recorded back-to-back league wins over Nuneaton Griff and Paget Rangers to add to the FA Cup success over Aylestone Park, but are now back on the road for the first time in more than two weeks.
And assistant manager Paul Tomlinson said his side have to be at their best to get anything from the game against another side that finished in the top four last season. He said: “We know it’s going to be a tough game for us, and we’ve got to make it tough for them, especially on their patch.
“If you’re a footballer or are involved with football, these are the games that you want, you love and you thrive on. These are your big derby games and that’s what you want as a footballer.
“You can sometimes score five or six against lesser teams but these are the games where you really find out about your squad. Can they step up to the occasion? We know we’ve got the players that can.
“We got a great three points on Saturday and we’ve now got a great couple of games to look forward to.”
Today, Hinckley visit an Atherstone side whose opening four league games have seen goals galore – the net bulging 23 times in total.
They have scored 13 and conceded ten in two wins and two defeats so far, with wins over Chelmsley Town and Uttoxeter Town mirrored by defeats to Heather St John’s and Walsall Wood.
One side has scored at least four times in every Atherstone game so far this season, and Hinckley will be hoping it is they who continue that record after scoring 14 times themselves in their first four league games.
But in Alex Naughton, the Adders have a man capable of extending that record in their favour. He has already scored eight times this term, having been the league’s top scorer in 2016-17.
Having won the first three meetings of the two sides, Hinckley have now gone three without a win against the Adders, including losing both games last season, and will be seeking to end that run tomorrow.
Atherstone play at Sheepy Road, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 3AD. The ground is only a short distance from the A5.
