Two of the Midland League First Division’s top four meet in a county derby on Saturday as Hinckley AFC welcome Ashby Ivanhoe.
Kirkby Road plays host to an all-Leicestershire clash as Hinckley look to make it three wins in a week in their first home game since the end of January.
After away wins at Haughmond in the league and Ingles in the League Cup, AFC are back on home turf with second-placed Ashby the visitors.
Ivanhoe were beaten in their top of the table clash with Dudley Town last week as the leaders extended their advantage at the top to five points.
AFC boss Joe Conneely says Ashby will be hurting after that, and keen to stay on Dudley’s heels if they drop points: “It’s only a five-point swing so they’ll want to capitalise on any Dudley slip-ups.
“They’re a really good side, Andy (Gray, Ashby manager) has done a good job there. They’re an honest, hardworking group all over, put lots of pressure on you and have got a top class goalscorer for this level in Sam Grouse.
“We have to use being at home to our advantage but it should be a good game with a good crowd and hopefully both teams will give sets of fans something to cheer about.”
You can read more from the manager in his matchday programme notes, the programme available to buy for £1.50 from just inside the turnstiles.
That defeat last week was Ashby’s first in the league since late October and they are 12 points ahead of Hinckley in the table, having played a game more. Ivanhoe won the reverse fixture 3-1 back in October, also progressing by the same scoreline in the Leicestershire Senior Cup.
AFC slipped to fourth in midweek when OJM Black Country beat Cradley Town, but will ensure they stay there with a win.
Only Dudley have a better defensive record than Ashby this season, while Grouse is the league’s leading goalscorer with 29.
Hinckley will be hopeful on the return to fitness of their own leading scorer, 21-goal Chandler Pegg, while Ashby will be without right-back Jake Conkay through suspension after his red card last week.
Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
