A much improved Hinckley AFC picked up their second win of the United Counties Premier South season with a 4-1 victory over GNG Oadby Town.
Despite going behind early on, it was a much slicker display from Hinckley who merited their win albeit they were helped by two bizarre own goals from Oadby ‘keeper Elliot Lawson.
Zach Tellyn and Bryan Kohyrelon were also on the scoresheet as AFC maintained their 100% away record this season.
New signings Dale Eve, James Bryson and Collins Tanor all started and Tanor’s first touch in a Hinckley shirt almost set up a goal, but Lawson turned Josh Beeson’s shot around the post.
Lewis Rankin, making his first start following injury, lobbed into the side netting as Hinckley started brightly, but soon found themselves behind.
The game was played at a frantic pace throughout, helped by a greasy surface following unexpected rain, and Oadby’s skill and raw pace on the counter attack. Lotredge Muteera proved a particular threat down their right, and although Adam Barber dealt superbly with his pace for the most part, Muteera grabbed the opening goal when he got in behind, rounded Eve and tapped into the gaping net.
Suleiman Nassor then flashed one across the face of goal as Oadby continued to threaten, but Hinckley equalised midway through the half.
It was a bizarre goal, as Tellyn’s cross into the box looked comfortable for Lawson, who was under no pressure but the ball skimmed off his glove when he tried to punch clear and ended up in the back of the net.
Eve made his first save in a Hinckley shirt to hold Zak Bham’s deflected striker shortly after, but Hinckley struck a killer blow to take the lead on the stroke of half time. Rankin’s corner was cleared only as far as the edge of the box, where Harry Walker-Donovan headed back into a good area and Tellyn flicked home his first league goal of the season.
That gave Hinckley a boost, and they started the second period brightly too. Rankin weaved into space before shooting just over, and they scored a third goal five minutes after the re-start. Again, it was a goal rather gifted to them as Lawson, under pressure from a corner, attempted to punch clear again but only succeeded in finding his own net for a second time.
Lawson then made a smart save from Rankin again before Oadby’s best spell of pressure of the match as they attempted to find a route back. They threatened at the far post from a corner, but Hinckley restricted the home side’s chances during a five-minute spell where they couldn’t get the ball back.
And having rode out that spell of pressure, Hinckley killed the game off on the break as Tellyn’s pass found Kohyrelon, who drove forward and crashed a shot in off the underside of the bar for his first goal for the club, just reward for his relentless work in the opening weeks of the season.
Chances came at both ends after that as the open flow continued. Kohyrelon found Rankin in space in the box but he saw his shot blocked, before substitute Elliot Edwards curled narrowly wide and Beeson’s lob bounced back off the bar.
At the other end, Eve denied Delroy Chikuza and Lamar Parkes following quick Oadby breaks but the result was never in doubt by this point and Hinckley take a well-earned three points into their break from league action when they host Malvern Town in the Emirates FA Cup on Friday night.
Oadby: Elliot Lawson, Ayrton Patel, Farah Abdi, Brandon Ojong (Omar Jagne 54), Mandeep Bains, Sumryan Dhami, Zak Bham (Rizvan Hussain 77), Camen Bhandal, Lamar Parkes, Suleiman Nassor (Delroy Chikuza 60), Lotredge Muteera (Christopher Okoye 60). Sub not used: Mussa Bham.
Goal: Lotredge Muteera (7)
Hinckley: Dale Eve, Jay D’Lionga, Adam Barber, Harry Walker-Donovan, James Bryson, Joe Obi, Lewis Rankin (Riley Davoile 75), Collins Tanor (Oli Szymanski 85), Bryan Kohyrelon (Elliot Edwards 80), Zach Tellyn (Brady Middleton 69), Josh Beeson. Sub not used: Fionn O’Brien.
Goals: Elliot Lawson (26 OG, 50 OG), Zach Tellyn (42), Bryan Kohyrelon (58)
Attendance: 70
