After a first defeat in four months, Hinckley AFC will look to put that behind them when fourth-placed Radford visit Kirkby Road.
Hinckley’s record 13-match winning streak was ended by third placed Belper United on Tuesday as they condemned AFC to a first defeat since the middle of November.
That one came away to Radford – and Courtney Belford’s side will look to right the wrongs when the Pheasants visit Kirkby Road this weekend.
Belford wants the defeat to spur his side on going into the final seven games. He said: “Hopefully it’ll be a one-off and do us a favour in the long run to re-focus.
It’s tough to carry a winning streak so now we can fully reset and move on. We’ve shown before that we can come back from defeats and we’ll try and do that again.”
You can read more from the manager in the matchday programme, available from £1.50 on Saturday.
AFC still top the table despite defeat, but only on goal difference from Kimberley Miners Welfare, who have a game in hand.
Radford are still chasing a play-off spot and, after suffering back-to-back home defeats to St Andrews and Harrowby United, have got that back on track with three straight wins.
And, with the exception of their 5-2 defeat to Harrowby, their defensive record in 2022 has remained strong with just five goals conceded in their other ten games this calendar year.
They have convincingly beaten Barrow Town, Holwell Sports and Birstall United in their last three.
It leaves them with a six point cushion on the play-offs, though Hucknall Town and Aylestone Park have two games and one game in hand respectively.
Their leading scorer is 14-goal Solace Uyi-Olaye, with Ryan Smith and Jevin Seaton, who scored against Hinckley back in November, also in double figures.
Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
Under 16s: £2 (FREE with Hinckley AFC Junior membership card)
