Hinckley AFC fought valiantly with ten men for more than 80 minutes against title favourites Aylestone Park but ultimately fell to a narrow defeat.
When Zaki Evans was sent off in hugely controversial fashion after just nine minutes of the game played, Hinckley fans feared the worst against a side who had won their opening game of the season 7-1.
But they battled superbly against the title favourites, losing only to a Justin Peace header late in the first half.
Both sides were also shown a red card each late on as the game finished 10v9, and Hinckley came agonisingly close twice late on to an equaliser but were beaten for the first time this season.
In an encouraging start, the game begun as a bright contest between two forward-thinking sides on a warm summer’s evening at Kirkby Road. Hinckley had the game’s first chance, when Joe Obi headed wide from a corner.
But the game’s major turning point came after just nine minutes. Zaki Evans’ superb tackle put the ball out for an Aylestone throw-in deep in their own half – or so the majority of the 362 in attendance thought. Referee George Younger saw it differently, and blew for a foul before brandishing a red card to Evans much to the astonishment of players and fans.
Younger’s decision altered the complexion of the game completely, and what started out as an intriguing battle between two county rivals quickly turned into an attack v defence drill.
Hinckley were happy to let Aylestone have possession, and the visitors moved Hinckley around well albeit without creasing masses of clear-cut opportunities as the 10 men defended resolutely.
Hinckley flew out well to block from Jake Duffy following an indirect free-kick on the six-yard line, and more fine defending saw Preston Bitemo block from Corey Armeni and Obi deny Sam Hollis.
Divin Emmanuel then saved from Hollis and Duffy while Pearson Mwanyongo and Marshal Keenan shot just off target – but for all Hinckley’s excellent defending, they were struggling to get out and it felt like only a matter of time before Aylestone’s relentless pressure told.
And the goal came in the second minute of stoppage time, when Peace stole away from his marker and powered home a header from a corner.
Hinckley held much more of a foothold in the game after the break. Aylestone still controlled the majority of the play and Emmanuel had to push away from Mwanyongo early on, but Hinckley carried more threat than they had in the first.
The second major talking point came 10 minutes into the half. Hinckley broke forward at pace, and Josh Beeson was bearing down on goal before he was brought down by Andres Articolo 25 yards out. Articolo, who was sent off against Hinckley last year playing for Birstall United, was relieved to only see yellow this time and Hinckley were frustrated that a second major decision had gone against them.
Riley Davoile’s resulting free-kick was tipped over by Josh Wormleighton for a corner, from which Beeson glanced a header wide from close range.
The last 20 minutes saw the game really open up – Hinckley started to believe they could get something from the game while Aylestone were looking to put it to bed.
Armeni fired wide when well-placed, and Emmanuel saved both Keenan’s free kick and Evandro Sanchez’s follow-up.
Hinckley’s best chance came with 12 minutes to play – Bryan Kohyrelon did well to get the ball into the box where Obi turned his man but poked wide from six yards.
An ill-tempered finale saw another two more red cards with three minutes to go. Jack Edwards’ late tackle on Keenan sparked a melee and saw him dismissed, while Aylestone’s Charley Kilburn was also sent for an early bath for his reaction.
With the game now 10 against nine, Hinckley felt they had one final chance to salvage something, and it came with the last move of the game – but Adam Barber headed Luke Jones’ set piece narrowly wide and Hinckley’s endeavours came to nothing as they suffer their first defeat of the season.
Hinckley: Divin Emmanuel, Jay D’Lionga (Luke Jones 88), Adam Barber, Preston Bitemo, Joe Obi, Oli Szymanski, Zach Tellyn (Brady Middleton 80), Zaki Evans, Elliot Edwards (Jack Edwards 46), Riley Davoile (Bryan Kohyrelon 73), Josh Beeson. Sub not used: Alex Vineall.
Aylestone: Josh Wormleighton, Charley Kilburn, Andres Articolo, Sam Preston, Justin Peace, Pearson Mwanyongo (Evandro Sanchez 57), Corey Armeni (Charlie Young 80), Jake Duffy, Sam Hollis, Corey Bucalossi, Marshal Keenan (Joel Wolfe 88). Subs not used: Dom Watts, Lee Barratt
Goal: Justin Peace (45+2)
Attendance: 362
