Hinckley AFC’s impressive sequence continued as they made it twelve successive wins with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Harrowby United at a sun drenched Kirkby Road.
AFC played well and created a stack of chances topped off by some superb finishes, in particular the two from Jack Edwards that were worth the admission alone for another 250-plus crowd.
Hinckley quickly got into their stride and after Ryan Harkin twice went close, they went on front after eight minutes. Joe Cairns received the ball with his back to goal on the left hand corner of the area, Mikkel Hirst’s overlapping run created the space for Cairns to turn and fire his shot home.
The home side continued to use the ball well, no better than a lovely pass from Hirst that sent Harkin through on goal. His shot was blocked by the legs of keeper Phil McGann with Charlie Evans’ follow up cleared off the line. From the resulting corner, Evans had another effort blocked before the ball struck a post in the ensuing melee and Harrowby scrambled clear.
The inevitable second arrived on the half hour. Nick Brandish delivered a pin point cross from the right that was emphatically volleyed home by Cairns for his second of the afternoon.
It was an entertaining half as chances came and went. Cairns and Evans were both denied by McGann before play switched to the other end and Matt Hill produced a superb reaction save to deny Mustapha John.
Perhaps mindful of their previous game ten days ago when they almost let a comfortable half time lead slip, Hinckley raced out of the blocks after the interval and secured the points with a three goal burst inside ten minutes.
Two minutes in and Evans’ endeavour saw him dispossess his man on the right flank before slipping a pass to Harkin, who did what he does best and beat the keeper with a composed finish.
Edwards then took centre stage. After some neat inter passing on the edge of the area, the young midfielder unleashed a sweet strike to make it four.
That was special, but his second goal soon after was right out of the top drawer, a curling shot from 25 yards that left McGann grasping at thin air as it flew into the top corner of his net.
With the points in the bag, Courtney Belford made a trio of substitutes to give game time to some his squad, but they had to play the final fifteen minutes with ten men after Tyson Knight limped off.
And the visitors took advantage to grab a consolation through Jack McGovern’s crisp finish after good work from Jack Gurney.
There was no denying Hinckley though whose fans went home happy having been royally entertained and seen their side maintain a three point lead at the top of the table.
Hinckley: Matt Hill, Nick Brandish (Harry Sawyer 51), Mikkel Hirst, Tyson Knight, Ben Whitehead, Ben Vallance, Joe Cairns (Lewis Rankin 60), Liam Cairns, Ryan Harkin, Charlie Evans (Isa Abraham 60), Jack Edwards. Subs not used: Luke Wilson, Ryan Slinn
Goals: Joe Cairns (9, 30), Ryan Harkin (47), Jack Edwards (50, 56)
Harrowby: Phil McGann, Tom Rigby, Joshua Birkitt (Matias Amponsem 55), Daniel Abayomi, Luke Anderson (Harrison Dee 60), Matthew Wilson, Alex Hales, Jamie McGhee (Jack Gurney 53), Jack McGovern, Sam Thorpe, Mustapha John. Sub not used: Gareth Lee
Goal: Jack McGovern (75)
Attendance: 252
