Hinckley AFC bounced back well from Saturday’s disappointment as goals either side of half time saw them overcome Premier Division Romulus 2-0 to see them into the semi-finals of the League Cup.
It was a well deserved victory, they played with a great tempo from the start and but for the intervention of the woodwork on a couple of occasions, the final scoreline would have been more emphatic.
Hinckley started on the front foot, their midfield trio showed great energy and one of that number, Zaki Evans, was unlucky when his early header came back off the bar with Jack Edwards’ follow up being blocked on the line.
Though Hinckley were the better side, the Roms always carried a threat and Matt Hill did well to deny Ryan Nesbitt with a fine double save at his near post before play switched back to the other end as Evans again came close – his long range effort was superbly pushed over by Lewis Gwilliams.
AFC went ahead ten minutes before half time, Isa Abraham was a constant threat all night, and he took a great touch to control Lewis Rankin’s chipped pass into the box before curling a delicate finish inside the far post.
Hinckley doubled their lead early in the second half with a superbly worked goal. Tom Weale caught the Roms’ defence napping with a quickly taken free kick that picked out the run of Edwards whose finish was clinical.
Hinckley continued on top – Preston Bitemo’s long range effort skimmed the outside of a post and Evans was unlucky yet again when his shot struck the inside of a post but bounced to safety.
Both sides made a series of substitutions that disrupted the flow a little and it was Romulus who ended the stronger as Hill made a couple of crucial saves to preserve a clean sheet and ensure Hinckley’s progress to a semi final at Highgate United.
Hinckley: Matt Hill, Matt Dawson, Danny Fraser (Adam Barber 83), Preston Bitemo, Tom Weale, Joe Obi, Lewis Rankin (Drew Kear 78), Zaki Evans (Declan Somel 86), Jack Edwards (Brady Middleton 67), Harry Walker-Donovan (Riley Davoile 87), Isa Abraham.
Goals: Isa Abraham (35), Jack Edwards (47)
Romulus: Lewis Gwilliams, Luke English, Mason Stevens, Stephen Palmer, Sam Paddock, Joe Perry, Jordan Francis, George Manning, Isai Marselia, Ryan Nesbitt, Rob Hanna. Substitutes: Finlay Douglas, Ash Jackson, Moussa Koita, Jose Lupo Paz, Petref Barjamaj.
Attendance: 147
