Hinckley AFC lost at the Welfare Ground for the first time as Cadbury Athletic continued their fine start to the season with a 2-1 win.
Looking to get back to winning ways after last week’s loss to Paget, all looked rosy for AFC when debutant Jordan Wilson put them ahead a quarter of an hour in.
But the Chocolatemen hit back – equalising through Odane Barnes before John Baker hit a second half winner.
James Jepson made three changes to his Hinckley side defeated at Paget last week. New signing Wilson made his debut, while Louis Hamilton and Kieran Harrison returned.
And after 17 minutes, it looked as though Hinckley were responding in the perfect way. A neat pass from Grant Ryan found Wilson, and he got his Hinckley career off to the perfect start with a left-footed finish from a tight angle that beat Stuart Parsons.
But Hinckley were only ahead for five minutes as the Chocolatemen hit back. Brett Lloyd’s long ball over the top found Barnes, who got in behind the defence and deftly lobbed over Adam Harrison to level.
Shortly afterwards, they had a chance to take the lead when referee Joe Larkin pointed to the spot, adjudging that Martin Hutchcox had handled in the box.
But Adam Harrison added another penalty save to his collection, diving the right way to stop Barnes’ spot kick and ensure his side remained level at half time.
But with the match in the balance, Cadbury turned it their way just after the hour when Hinckley played for an offside that wasn’t given, and Baker got in behind to score.
That kicked Hinckley into action, and they came on strong for the last 20 minutes or so in search of their equaliser.
Sam Belcher had a pair of efforts blocked, before substitute Nkosi Mzungwana curled one narrowly wide.
But while there were a couple of scrambles that yielded panic in the visiting defence, Cadbury’s backline held firm under the pressure and ensured Parsons wasn’t called into anything other than routine work.
It ended Hinckley’s unbeaten home record this season – and they’ll be looking to put things right away to bottom side Littleton next week.
Hinckley: Adam Harrison, Kieran Harrison, Martin Hutchcox, Jean Dakouri, Josh Spencer (Callum Willimont 46), Jason Lee, Louis Hamilton (Nkosi Mzungwana 60), Sam Belcher, Grant Ryan, Jordan Wilson, Tom Maddison. Subs not used: Josh Stredder, Richard Hanslow, James Jepson
Goal: Jordan Wilson (17)
Cadbury: Stuart Parsons, Stuart Cooke, Brett Lloyd, Dalmar Morrison, Sam Delaney, Tom Baker, Stuart Butcher, Brett Fellows, Odane Barnes, John Baker, Anthony Fitzmaurice. Substitutes: Daniel Dineen, Kennie Roberts, Lewan Tobin, Ritchie Olusanya, Derrick Hoffenden
Goals: Odane Barnes (22), John Baker (62)
Attendance: 128
