Two of the Midland League Division One’s top five meet in Hinckley AFC’s final game of 2023 as fifth-placed Wednesfield visit Kirkby Road on Saturday.
AFC extended their winning league run to nine games with the Boxing Day success at Ingles, who went into that game in fifth spot themselves.
Hinckley managed that without the suspended Matt Dawson, but he will return for the visit of Wednesfield while Charlie Swingwood will miss out after his fifth booking of the season.
The opposition
Hinckley’s win over Ingles on Boxing Day allowed Wednesfield to rise to fifth on goal difference with their 4-0 win over Wolves Sporting that extended their unbeaten league run beyond two months.
Since losing to Heather St John’s at the end of October, Wednesfield have recorded four wins and two draws in their six Division One games to put themselves in the final play-off spot, scoring 17 goals in that run.
They lead a pack of 11 sides separated by just seven points in a heavily congested middle half of the table, knowing a win at Kirkby Road will keep them in the play-off spots heading into 2024.
Jay Holdcroft is their leading scorer with 12, while Freddie Cockerell have eight since joining from Paget Rangers to take him to 13 for the season.
Previous meetings
Wednesfield have taken the lead in all three meetings between the sides, winning the first at Amos Lane last season, with Hinckley coming back to win two of them 2-1.
Matt Dawson and Tom Weale were on target on a swelteringly hot September afternoon earlier this season – that was Wednesfield’s most recent home league defeat.
From the dressing room
“They’re a good team. We had to work really hard to beat them away from home. It was a tough day, absolutely baking hot. It’ll be a different game at home, they’re in good form and are in and around the play-offs. They’ll probably think that they can catch us if they beat us. We’ll plan right, and just try to pick up another three points in what will be an extremely difficult game.”
Joe Conneely
Key information
Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
Under 16s: £2 (FREE with HAFC Junior membership card)
