Hinckley bowed out of the FA Cup as four goals from visiting striker Jack Watts inspired a classy Malvern Town outfit to a 5-2 victory.
A first-half brace from Watts gave Malvern the early advantage and though Hinckley battled gamely throughout and kept in touch with goals from Josh Beeson and Bryan Kohyrelon, Town were always in control of the tie.
Injuries and unavailability meant a debut in goal for Sam Taylor, and he was quickly in the action as he beat away Matthew MacDonald’s 20 yard free kick.
But he was powerless to prevent Malvern taking the lead after 20 minutes, a long ball over the top sent Watts galloping clear of the home defence and he finished well.
Malvern are an impressive side, they were strong in all areas and kept possession well whilst Hinckley couldn’t get their playmakers into the game.
And the visitors emphasised their superiority by doubling their lead on the half hour, Watts pouncing on a rebound after Taylor parried Joe Tumelty’s shot.
Taylor then did well to push aside Luke Payne’s long range shot at full stretch before Hinckley got themselves back into the game just before half time. They put together their best move of the game on the right flank – that led to a corner that was blocked in the box and Beeson reacted quickest to lash home the loose ball to breathe life into the cup tie.
Hinckley gave it a go after the break without seriously troubling Lewis Adams in the visiting goal before Malvern restored their two goal lead just beyond the hour mark. From a corner, an initial shot was blocked and Charlie Johnson drove home the rebound.
That goal knocked the stuffing out of the home side and Malvern increased their lead as Watts completed his hat trick with Malvern’s best goal of the game when he finished off a flowing move.
AFC kept going to the end and grabbed another with six minutes remaining, a surging run on the left from Adam Barber was finished by Kohyrelon’s header.
But any flickering hopes the home crowd had of an unlikely comeback were swiftly extinguished. Fittingly, it was Watts who had the last word of the night, a lightning quick counter attack ended with another clinical finish from the centre forward to take his personal tally to four and confirm Malvern’s progress.
Hinckley: Sam Taylor, Jay D’Lionga, Adam Barber, Harry Walker-Donovan (Riley Davoile 65), Fionn O’Brien, James Bryson, Lewis Rankin, Collins Tanor (Luke Jones 82), Elliot Edwards (Bryan Kohyrelon 58), Zach Tellyn (Oli Szymanski 58), Josh Beeson (Brady Middleton 58). Subs not used: Courtney Hunter-Belford, Isa Abraham.
Goals: Josh Beeson (44), Bryan Kohyrelon (84)
Malvern: Lewis Adams, Luke Payne, Lewis Platt, Adam Sauntson, Charlie Johnson (Jake Bevan 77), Matthew MacDonald, Joshua Allen (Sam Clark 61), Joseph Bullock, Jack Watts, Joe Tumetly (Harry Malcolm 77), Levi Francis (Alex Bell 61). Subs not used: Thomas Fairclough, Lee Hosper, Lewis Spurrer.
Goals: Jack Watts (21, 28, 74, 87), Charlie Johnson (62)
Attendance: 271
