Hinckley AFC head into the final month of the Division One season with plenty to play for and start it with a home game against AFC Bridgnorth on Saturday.
Joe Conneely’s side kick off April in third place in the table with eight matches still to play, as one of five sides separated by just four points and competing for one of four play-off spots.
AFC are also in the League Cup semi-finals after Monday’s 4-0 win over Stapenhill at Kirkby Road and continue their busy schedule against Bridgnorth.
Hinckley have at least nine games to play in April, but two wins inside three days over Bridgnorth and then Coton Green on Monday will move them up to second in the table, if only for a couple of days.
Conneely says that’s serving as motivation for his side: “We’ve still got to make sure we finish in the play-offs, because it’s extremely tight, but there’s no better motivation for us than to move up to second. That would also give us as much home advantage as possible in the play-offs.
“But we can’t get ahead of ourselves – lose a game and we get brought right back down a few places – and with five teams separated by four points it’s likely to go down to the wire.”
You can read more from the manager in his matchday programme notes – with Hinckley hopeful on the fitness of Jack Edwards and Joe McNulty who both missed Monday’s game through knocks.
Tomorrow’s opponents Bridgnorth are winless in six but have played five of the top nine in that run and been involved in some thrilling encounters. They fell 6-3 to Dudley Town, and came from 4-1 down to level at 4-4 against Droitwich Spa in midweek before eventually losing 6-4.
Those results mean it may come as little surprise that there have been lots of goals in Bridgnorth matches recently. Only bottom side Haughmond have conceded more this season, but they have scored 11 in their last five away games. Craig Knowles is their leading scorer with 11.
The Shropshire side sit third from bottom, three points adrift of Cradley Town, and remarkably have played all their home games this season – their final four matches are all away.
The former Stafford Town management team have taken over recently, and five players who featured for Stafford in the FA Vase tie at Kirkby Road earlier this season played for Bridgnorth on Tuesday.
Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
Under 16s: £2 (FREE with HAFC Junior membership card)
