Hinckley AFC play the first game at their new home against Coventry Copsewood tonight, and manager James Jepson says it’s a day for the club to savour.
After four years at Heather St John’s, the move over to the Welfare Ground at Ibstock starts a new era for the club this evening with Copsewood the first visitors.
And after an opening day draw at Stapenhill, Jepson says tonight is about the club reaping the rewards of the hard work put in at the ground. He said: “It’s not just about the team, it’s about the club.
“It’s a new era, the first game at our new home, and we’re hoping for three points to start repaying everyone for the support. The fans have been very welcoming towards me, John and Donal and the club have shown us great support.
“The message will be to put on a show for the fans. We’ve had unbelievable messages and support, and we’re doing everything we can.”
The former Rugby Town boss was delighted with the first half of Saturday’s showing at Stapenhill, but says his side need to be more clinical in front of goal.
“For the first 45 minutes I thought we were excellent. On another day, we could have been four or five goals up at half time with the chances we had.
“Our wing backs were getting forward, Sam Belcher was making things happen, and we were dominant, but we need to put teams to bed.
“We always looked a threat from set pieces and looked good going forward but if you don’t take your chances, the other team will always have one and they scored theirs alongside a wondergoal.
“We had probably nine or ten good chances and on occasions we failed to hit the target. That’s disappointing but we’ll take the point we got and move on to tonight.”
Tonight, Jepson’s men take on a Copsewood side playing their first game of the season – the Coventry outfit the side to miss out on an opening day fixture due to the odd number of teams in the league.
They finished 13th last season, with AFC winning both meetings between the sides including a narrow 3-2 win in April where all the goals came in the first half.
Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
Under 16s: £2 (FREE with HAFC junior membership card)
