Jared Bradshaw’s brace on debut helped Hinckley AFC come from two goals down to draw with Northampton ON Chenecks.
Bradshaw showed composure from the spot and slotted home a pair of penalties either side of half time to start his Hinckley career with important contributions.
And he formed part of a much improved Hinckley display, in a team that was the better side for large spells but was left ruing two defensive lapses in the first half which cost them the win.
Bradshaw and fellow new additions Ky Green, George Atwal and Sam Lockley were all handed a starting berth at Kirkby Road and Hinckley immediately looked a much slicker version of themselves.
It was a very watchable game – Hinckley played at a good tempo throughout while Chenecks also started brightly, but their fading tempo once they went 2-0 up cost them as they couldn’t wrestle back any control.
Both sides felt they should have scored within 10 seconds on the eight-minute mark. Lockley gained a yard in the box but saw his shot saved by Brad Lashley, and play quickly broke to the other end where Tyrell Bernard’s header from Lewis Irwin’s cross was tipped wide by Divin Emmanuel.
The impressive Irwin was at the heart of all Chenecks’ attacking play, and he set up the opening goal on 20 minutes. He flicked on a long ball, and Raymond Poku broke the deadlock with a well-executed lofted finish.
Hinckley set about equalising, but couldn’t find the finishing touch to cap off their neat build up play. Lashley denied Bradshaw and later Lockley at his near post, while Lewis Rankin steered wide when well-placed.
And another defensive lapse seven minutes before the break doubled their hill to climb. A Hinckley attack broke down, and one pass set Irwin bounding clear of the defence before he applied a clinical finish.
Hinckley needed a goal before the break, and after Green flashed ome across the face of goal and Zaki Evans glanced a header wide, they got it in stoppage time. Adam Barber’s superb piece of skill took him past Irwin, who tripped him as he entered the box. Bradshaw sent Lashley the wrong way and Hinckley gained in belief.
Chenecks’ best chance of the second half came early, when Emmanuel tipped Cameron Mabbutt’s free kick wide, the ‘keeper then saving more comfortably from Luca Purse’s acrobatic effort.
And while Hinckley controlled possession throughout the half, they didn’t create a huge amount until 15 minutes from time. Ashley Ogden’s indecision allowed Lockley to get onto a through ball before he was cleaned out at chest height by Lashley, who was fortunate to escape with a booking. Faced with the same situation, Bradshaw delivered the same result as he kept his composure to level.
Having been pegged back from two up, Chenecks were happy to continue taking their time over set pieces and settle for a point. If there was going to be a winner, Hinckley looked the more likely and they came within inches of it late on.
After a quiet opening half hour, Bradshaw became increasingly effective and as his superb turn made Josh Kilsby look foolish, he was then fouled and Lockley’s resulting free kick struck the base of the post.
Hinckley were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Jack Edwards saw red for a tackle not dissimilar to Lashley’s earlier, but it came too late to make an impact and the sides took a point apiece.
Hinckley: Divin Emmanuel, Jay D’Lionga, Adam Barber, George Atwal, Ky Green, Joe Obi (Alex Vineall 95), Lewis Rankin (Harry Walker-Donovan 68), Sam Lockley (Bryan Kohyrelon 101), Zaki Evans (Isa Abraham 56 (Brady Middleton 95)), Jared Bradshaw, Jack Edwards.
Goals: Jared Bradshaw (45+1 pen, 77 pen)
Chenecks: Brad Lashley, Lewis Green, Kieron Mobbs, Ashley Ogden, Luca Purse, Josh Kilsby, Jacob Cox (Josh Kiragu 82), Cameron Mabbutt (Sam Rowley 61), Lewis Irwin, Raymond Poku (Tyrun Primus 82), Tyrell Bernard (Nathan Anyanwu 89).
Goals: Raymond Poku (20), Lewis Irwin (38)
Attendance: 191
