Hinckley AFC recorded a third straight league win and showed qualities of a different kind to beat Northampton ON Chenecks 4-1 at Billing Road.
It was the second straight week Hinckley had beaten a side starting the day in the play-off places, and this was arguably the most impressive of their current streak of victories.
On a heavy pitch with the grass left long, Hinckley adapted to the conditions well and scored twice in each half to record a first away win since August and close the gap on the top five.
For the second straight week, Joe Conneely made just one change and that consistency in squad, despite a number of injuries, is paying dividends for a Hinckley who return four wins from what looked a testing November.
Calum Flanagan was the man to come in, and his experience, leadership and physicality at the heart of the defence proved influential.
Chenecks threatened first, when Kieran Mobbs’ miscued cross from the left flank looped onto the bar, but the first real chance led to Hinckley breaking the deadlock on the quarter-hour mark.
Just like at St Neots in the last away game, it was Jared Bradshaw who provided the opening goal as he latched onto Luke Jones’ flick and deftly slid past the onrushing Brad Lashley.
That lead lasted just 10 minutes, the hosts levelling when Lewis Irwin created space on the left and crossed for Ryan Coxhill to head home from close range.
But Hinckley hit back immediately – less than two minutes later, Lucinee Donzo and Jones recycled a set piece and Ky Green stole beyond the last man to stab AFC in front again.
Chenecks had the better of the period either side of half time, albeit without really testing Keelan Fallows in the Hinckley goal. Josh Kilsby blazed over from the edge of the box and Coxhill headed narrowly over from a free kick when well-placed as Hinckley rode out the pressure, coming close themselves when Leo Farruch’s shot was cleared over his own bar by Luke Davis.
After the break, Oli Szymanski and Flanagan combined to deny Raymond Poku, who looked to have got in behind, and Green headed off the line from a corner as Chenecks applied more pressure.
But Hinckley managed that spell and scored at an important time 20 minutes into the second half. Jones, who had just been moved to a more central role, gave Conneely immediate reward as he sprung the offside trap from Adam Barber’s pass and coolly slotted home.
After taking some time to find his feet at the start of the season, Jones is now starting to hit a real purple patch and he scored his second in six minutes to add to his earlier two assists when he outmuscled centre-back Luke Andrews out wide and bore down on goal, finding the top corner from the angle to give Hinckley further breathing room.
And their position became even more comfortable shortly after when, during a break in play, Chenecks captain Davis was shown a straight red card, presumably for something he said.
It could have been five – Lashley raced out to deny Donzo from eight yards and substitute Keaton Blackbird had strong late penalty shouts waved away, and Chenecks finished with nine after Poku was sinbinned to ensure there would be no dampening of a memorable away day for Hinckley.
Chenecks: Brad Lashley, Luke Davis, Kieron Mobbs, Jonny Muddiman, Luke Andrews, Josh Kilsby, Ryan Coxhill (Josh Kiragu 93), Sean McBride (Tyrun Primus 74) Lewis Irwin, Raymond Poku, Ijah Agustine. Subs not used: Nathan Anyanwu, Liam Allen.
Goal: Ryan Coxhill (26)
Hinckley: Keelan Fallows, Oli Szymanski (Harry Walker-Donovan 73), Adam Barber, Zaki Evans, Ky Green, Luke Jones, Lucinee Donzo, Bryan Kohyrelon (Lewis Rankin 65), Jared Bradshaw, Leo Farruch (Keaton Blackbird 84), Calum Flanagan. Sub not used: Luca Bien.
Goals: Jared Bradshaw (15), Ky Green (28), Luke Jones (66, 72)
Attendance: 76
