A bizarre final game of pre-season saw 11 goals as Hinckley AFC warmed up for next week’s FA Cup tie with an action-packed win at Lichfield City.
Both sides took advantage of loose defending with some slick attacking play to provide optimism and room for improvement ahead of their season openers.
Hinckley took the lead after just three minutes, through Luke Wilson’s well-struck 35-yard free kick that was fumbled over the line by the home ‘keeper.
The hosts had more of the play before half time, and moved the ball nicely. They hit back through a penalty, and took the lead for the only time in the game courtesy of a neat finish inside the far post.
Then it was Hinckley’s turn to level, another well-struck Wilson free kick fumbled and Emile Beckford was on hand to turn home.
The start of the second half turned the game Hinckley’s way, through two goals from James Reid. His first came when he was allowed too much time and space to control a throw in, turn and bury into the corner.
And just three minutes later, a good run saw him beat his man before a composed finish.
Lichfield pulled one back through a free kick of their own that sailed through the wall, before Hinckley restored their two-goal advantage when Alex Davies had a shot saved but Beckford turned home the loose ball.
Then came the team goal of the game as Lewis Collins and Kai Gibbs’ neat play allowed Davies to slide in at the far post.
Lichfield finished strongly, scoring a free header from a corner and a good goal from their winger, who cut inside with good feet and drove home.
But it was Hinckley who take consecutive wins into next week’s FA Cup tie against Wolverhampton Casuals at Kirkby Road.
