Isa Abraham bagged a brace to help Hinckley move into the quarter finals of the League Cup with a hard fought 3-1 victory over Ingles at Homestead Road.
The diminutive winger was a constant threat with his pace and trickery and a goal in each half was a fitting reward.
The first half was competitive, the contrasting styles of the teams made it a good watch and when Ingles equalised Abraham’s opener just before the interval, it was anyone’s game.
But Joe Conneely made a change at the break, Lewis Collins came on to good effect up front and Tom Weale’s presence in midfield turned the tide in AFC’s favour.
Will Mansfield made his Hinckley debut in central defence and he was soon involved, in the right place at the right time to clear Ben Tansley’s shot off the line before Hinckley went ahead midway through the half. Abraham was fouled and when Weale’s free kick was spilled by the keeper, Abraham reacted quickest to slam home the loose ball.
Ingles always carried a threat going forward, especially from set plays and they deserved their equaliser a couple of minutes before half time. Cam Smith launched another huge throw into the box and Tansley rose highest amongst a crowded goalmouth to glance his header home.
The half time introduction of Collins paid immediate dividends. Five minutes after coming on, he received Lewis Rankin’s pass in the inside right channel and held off his man before driving his angled shot home to put Hinckley in front.
It was a lead they wouldn’t relinquish as they got on top of the game. Home keeper Joe Bickerstaffe saved from Matt Dawson and Rankin before Abraham added a third to make the game safe, a rare header as he converted a deflected cross.
Hinckley came close to adding more in the closing stages, Sam Ellis drove a fierce shot just over the bar before, with the final play of the game, Dawson produced a mazy Messi-esque dribble from his own half that saw him leave a trail of defenders in his wake, but keeper Bickerstaffe did well to block his shot to deny the defender what would have been a sensational ending to an impressive second half showing.
Ingles: Joe Bickerstaffe, Eli Christie (Harry Boorman 60), Dillon Rawson, Michael Tuck, George Wesley, Ali Tierney (Benn Minshull 60), Cam Smith, Jack Allen (Luis Corcoran 75), Kyle Fowkes, Ben Tansley (Jamie Light 75), Ollie Grimshaw (Sean Bennett 75).
Goal: Ben Tansley (44)
Hinckley: Brandon Bache, Matt Dawson, Danny Fraser, Josh Clews (Lewis Collins 46), Joe McNulty, Will Mansfield, Lewis Rankin (Luke Wilson 82), Tom Weale, Jack Edwards (Harry Walker-Donovan 77), Sam Ellis, Isa Abraham (Chandler Pegg 82). Sub not used: Ryan Slinn.
Goals: Isa Abraham (22, 70), Lewis Collins (50)
Attendance: 85
