Hinckley AFC’s wait for back-to-back wins this season continues after a 2-0 loss to Godmanchester Rovers.
Hinckley were flat from the off on a warm autumn afternoon and a goal in each half condemned them to defeat.
Both goals came from set pieces as Hinckley switched off at the back and too often their build-up play was laboured meaning passes regularly fell short.
AFC made just one change from last week’s impressive win over Histon, as Brady Middleton came back in to make his 50th appearance for the club.
But the contrast between last week’s slick showing and this was stark – AFC didn’t adapt well to the state of the pitch and the manner of defeat will be a concern to manager Joe Conneely.
The tone was set from the off – from kick off, a header back to goalkeeper Carl O’Neill only just stayed in play and Hinckley were fortunate that Godmanchester didn’t fashion a chance from the follow-up.
They weren’t so fortunate after 12 minutes – a right wing corner met by a bullet header that gave O’Neill no chance. Initially it looked like Josh Hales’ goal, but was later confirmed as an own goal by James Bryson.
O’Neill then came out quickly to deny Tom Wakley as Hinckley didn’t heed their wake-up call, but gradually as the half wore on they started to get on top and create chances.
Jack Edwards had the best chance, turning wide Lewis Rankin’s superb delivery, and Rankin then set up Middleton who was denied by the onrushing Simon Dalton.
Dalton then denied Isa Abraham after a mazy run, before the same player had a shot blocked and Edwards’ follow-up was saved again.
That spell before the break was Hinckley’s best of the match, albeit still without looking close to their fluent best.
Conneely made a double change at the break in a bid to breathe life into the side, but the laboured tempo remained.
AFC did, though, come mighty close to an equaliser just past the hour. Abraham cut inside and saw a shot bounce off the post, and Bryan Kohyrelon’s rebound was tipped onto the upright as well as Goddy scrambled clear.
And they remained a threat on occasions on the break. A defensive error allowed Wakley through on goal but O’Neill came out to smother, and the same player then saw a cleanly struck shot from outside the box bounce onto the roof of the net.
Their second goal came five minutes from time – Hinckley switched off at a free kick, allowing Dan Brown to peel away from his man and finish precisely into the far corner.
Hinckley now have eight days to put the defeat behind them ahead of next Sunday’s FA Vase trip to FC Stratford.
Godmanchester: Simon Dalton, Ron Sosoki, Tak Chijota, Alfie-Ray Turner, Matt Green, Ricki Goodale, Ed Watson (Josh Hales 9 (Martin Hill 82)), Tommy Dear, Mani Gjebuande (Reece Page 75), Tom Wakely, Dan Brown (Jamalle Shenille 95). Sub not used: Ben Newton.
Goals: James Bryson (12 OG), Dan Brown (85)
Hinckley: Carl O’Neill, Jay D’Lionga, Adam Barber, Harry Walker-Donovan (Elliot Edwards 72), James Bryson (Oli Szymanski 79), Joe Obi (Josh Beeson 87), Lewis Rankin, Zach Tellyn (Luke Jones 46), Brady Middleton (Bryan Kohyrelon 46), Jack Edwards, Isa Abraham.
Attendance: 172
