With the title confirmed, Hinckley AFC start their final run-in of the Division One season with a visit to one of the league’s in-form sides in Coton Green on Wednesday.
AFC have three games left to play this campaign and head into the final week-and-a-half of the season with an insurmountable 17-point lead at the top.
Away games at Coton Green and Smethwick Rangers, either side of Saturday’s final home game against Bilston Town, will wrap up Hinckley’s 10th season and most successful to date.
The opposition
Having been in the relegation zone at the turn of the year, Coton have now lost just one of their last 15 games in Division One to lift themselves clear of the danger zone, and have the best defensive record in the division over that time.
They turned over Droitwich Spa in Worcestershire last week to become just the third side to win there all season, and in doing so helped Hinckley confirm the title.
They now sit 15th, with 38 points from their 33 games – and have both scored the most and conceded the fewest goals of any side in the bottom six.
They have re-appointed Nic Oakley as manager, and re-signed Matt Gardner who scored all four goals as they came from behind to beat Nuneaton Griff in February. The former Hinckley forward has 14 goals in 20 games for them this season.
Their only defeat since before Christmas was a 2-0 reverse at Wednesfield, while they took points off OJM Black Country in February in a 1-1 draw.
Previous meetings
Coton won the first ever meeting between the sides last December – Gardner scoring in a 2-1 win for them at Kirkby Road – but Hinckley have won each of the last two. They won 5-0 at New Mill Lane last April, and then overcame a young Coton side 8-0 earlier this campaign.
Key information
Coton play at New Mill Lane, Fazeley, Tamworth, B78 3RX.
Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
