Just a month after the sides last met, Hinckley AFC take on Heather St John’s in a landlords v tenants derby at St John’s Park this afternoon, kick off 3pm.
Remarkably, the reverse fixture on Boxing Day was the last time Hinckley played a league match, when Simeon Cobourne’s hat-trick meant Heather edged a narrow 4-3 victory.
Since then, Hinckley have only played the FA Vase tie at Marske United, and as a result sit eighth in the league, level on points with Heather albeit having played three games fewer.
Richard Lavery hopes to name some new signings in his squad today, with a number of new players added to the squad.
James Jepson, an experienced central midfielder, counts Shepshed Dynamo, Rugby Town and Kettering Town among his recent former clubs, while Nick Goold ends a long affiliation with county rivals Quorn to link up with Lavery’s side.
Other signings include winger Kai Tonge, midfielder Josh Burniston and right back Abdul Muhammad, while goalkeeper Carl O’Neill is unavailable today so Bradley Caswell will deputise.
As on Boxing Day, it promises to be a cracker between two sides who score plenty of goals. Only league leaders Walsall Wood have scored more than Heather’s 76 league goals this term, while 
Hinckley are fourth highest scorers despite having played the second fewest games of anyone in the league.
Much of that is down to Cobourne, who has netted a remarkable 45 goals already this season in all competitions, though he has had good support from Shane Benjamin and Dave Yonwin, who have 14 goals apiece.
Simon Lyons’ side have won nine of their last ten games in all competitions, a last minute defeat to Studley the only blot on their recent copybook which Hinckley will hope to inflict more damage on come 3pm.
