Hinckley AFC begin their defence of the Midland League Cup when Sutton United visit Kirkby Road for the second time in nine days on Monday night.
Just over a week after a 2-2 draw in the league, Sutton are back in Leicestershire as AFC begin their campaign in the competition they won last season by beating higher-level Whitchurch Alport in the final.
Just over five months on from that memorable night at The Bescot Stadium, the second round tie sees holders Hinckley at home for a third consecutive match and looking to get back to winning ways to extend their run in this season’s competition.
The opposition
Sutton beat Hampton in the Fazeley Charity Cup last midweek in their only game since their last visit to Kirkby Road – their league match at Allscott Heath on Saturday was postponed due to the weather.
It leaves Sutton in 11th place, with five wins and four draws giving them 19 points from their 14 league games so far.
Matt Bishop and the league’s leading marksman Joe Gildea scored for them in the corresponding league fixture as Hinckley twice came from behind to earn a draw.
From the dressing room
“There’s no better way to get back to winning ways than the start of your defence of the League Cup. It was a brilliant night for us. Can we live off that, and channel some of the energy we had that night and transfer that into the boys, and give them something to be positive about?
“We’ll do what we can but we’ll make changes. We went full board last season and will do the same this time and try to make sure we’re in the next round come Monday night. We’ll go all out to try and get back to winning ways.”
Joe Conneely
Key info
Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
