October was a month of change at Hinckley AFC, with the resignation of Carl Abbott, three games under Dean Thomas’ interim reign and three under the new stewardship of Dale Belford.
Understandably, that brought with it mixed results, comprehensive wins at Chelmsley Town and Coventry Alvis mixed with an enthralling home draw with Heath Hayes, narrow defeat to Walsall Wood and cup losses to Aylestone Park and Heather St John’s where a number of Under 18s gained their first taste of first team action.
Throughout the transitional month, though, there were some regular faces. But who stood out for you and gets your Rosepetals Player of the Month vote?
Isaac Cooper proved his value again this month, having played all bar 13 minutes of the club’s fixtures in October. Having shifted between winger and full back, for former Barwell and Rushall Olympic man also captained the side against Aylestone Park and scored less than a minute into the second half at Chelmsley.
September’s winner Steve Hart also makes the shortlist and, with seven goals in six games in October, could become the first player to win the award twice in a row – not a bad achievement when you consider they’re his first two months in a Hinckley shirt. It’s 13 in 11 in total for the powerful forward and he’s now fifth on the Division One goalscorers charts despite missing the first month of the season.
Another new player to make an impact this month was Richard Lavery. The former Hinckley United captain added steel to the midfield and, like Cooper, proved his value by also slotting into the defence when required. Lavs also started every game in October, opening the scoring at Coventry Alvis and adding real leadership in the middle of the park.
Finally, James Williams is the other player on the shortlist. Despite missing the Aylestone Park game through injury, he played every minute of every other game and his energetic performances down the right flank were crucial in AFC’s wins – as well as making telling contributions at the back.
You have exactly a week to make your vote count – head to the poll pinned to our Twitter page or cast your vote on our website – www.hinckleyafc.org.uk/voting.
