Hinckley AFC play a fourth consecutive home league game when Paget Rangers visit Kirkby Road on Saturday.
After losing the winning run in stoppage time to Chelmsley Town’s late equaliser on Monday, AFC are back at home again for the visit of Paget looking to get back to winning ways.
Joe Conneely and Courtney Hunter-Belford remain without a number of players as injuries continue to bite the squad. Preston Bitemo serves the final match of his suspension, while Chandler Pegg (knee) and Zaki Evans (calf) are also still injured with Jack Edwards (ankle) and Harry Walker-Donovan (knee) both doubts.
The opposition
Paget come into this one off the back of an enthralling win on Monday, beating Wolves Sporting 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller.
Ryan Butler’s double helped them to a second league win of the campaign and lifted them out of the bottom three and into 16th place.
It was also their second win of the weekend – overcoming Stafford Town 3-2 in the FA Vase three days previously – while their other win of the campaign came at home to Chelmsley Town.
Freddie Cockerell and Jonathan Millinchip both have three goals already this term.
Previous meetings
There were three meetings between the sides last season – two coming in the space of four August days when AFC won both matches in similar circumstances. James Reid and Joe McNulty scored in both, with Paget pulling one back late on – AFC winning 2-1 in the league and 3-1 in the FA Vase. Hinckley also won 3-1 at Coles Lane in January.
Both of Paget’s wins over Hinckley came in the 2018/19 season – scoring three on each occasion.
From the dressing room
“Paget are another good young side. August is hard, you can’t read too much into the league table because the schedule is so tough. We have to earn the right against every team in this league, especially another side who are used to a 3G pitch and the way they play. The manager is a good bloke and has them well drilled, so we have to earn everything. If we match them for work rate and commitment then hopefully quality can show through.”
Courtney Hunter-Belford
Key info
Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
Under 16s: £2 (FREE with HAFC Junior membership card)
