Hinckley AFC take a break from league action for the first time this season with the trip to Eccleshall in the FA Vase on Saturday.
After five wins from six, AFC head to North West Counties League outfit Eccleshall for the first time looking to take their good form into the first cup competition of the new season.
Tom Armitage may return after a knock, while Calum Flanagan may make his debut after signing on dual registration from Redditch United. Isa Abraham is also in contention for the first time this season. Ky Green will complete the last match of his three-match suspension while Preston Bitemo starts his ban.
The opposition
Also at step six, Eccleshall play in the same league as Hinckley’s former foes Stafford Town and Brocton, and have beaten both of those sides in their good start to the season.
They’ve been beaten just once in their opening seven games, with four draws including in their last outings at home to Market Drayton Town (0-0) and away to Maine Road (3-3). Jordan Benton has three goals from his six games so far while Nick Wellecomme, who played against Hinckley for Heath Hayes last season, is now at Eccleshall.
From the dressing room
“It’s a nice time to have a break from the league. Courtney watched them in pre-season and they’ll be a good team – big, aggressive and physical but they can also play good football. We’re in good form, they’ve also had decent start. It’ll be a good away day, a nice coach trip, and hopefully we can progress but it will be tough so we’ll have to be at our absolute best. They’ll fancy themselves to beat us.
“The Vase is always a competition we take seriously, and it’s one where you want to go as far as you can and it also earns a few quid for the club. It doesn’t get tougher than Saturday, but if we can get through it we’ll be happy and it will be nice to have home tie in the next round as our reward.”
Joe Conneely
Key info
The winners of the tie will be at home to Midland League Premier Division side Bewdley Town in the second round qualifying on Saturday 23rd September. They’ll also collect £550 from the FA’s prize pool, with the losing club picking up £160.
Eccleshall play at Pershall Park, Chester Road, Eccleshall, Staffordshire, ST21 6NE.
Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
Under 16s: Free with paying adult
