Second-half goals from Lewis Rankin and the returning Chandler Pegg saw Hinckley AFC to a seventh consecutive home win as they beat Godmanchester Rovers 2-0.
In blustery conditions for the third home game in a row, Hinckley needed to be patient against the struggling visitors but did exactly that as Rankin broke the deadlock and Pegg marked his return to the club with a goal.
And in a Christmas gift to their fans, Hinckley also kept a first clean sheet of the season to maintain their excellent end to 2024.
Hinckley had the lion’s share of the ball throughout, but lowly Godmanchester kept their defensive shape well for the most part.
In fact, they had the game’s first chance as a quick counter attack set Dan Brown striding free, and his low effort was cleared over his own bar by Harry Walker-Donovan.
That would have further consequences for Hinckley, too, with Walker-Donovan picking up an injury in making that clearance that would see him substituted shortly after.
As Hinckley continued their control, Leo Farruch volleyed over Rankin’s cross and Jared Bradshaw had one deflected wide from 10 yards before they should have taken the lead nine minutes before the break.
They thought the opening goal came after an excellent team move, ending with Farruch crossing for Bryan Kohyrelon to finish at the near post – but they were denied by the assistant’s flag against Farruch, much to their surprise.
The second half continued in a similar fashion, with much of the play in the Godmanchester half and Hinckley waiting patiently for their moment to arrive.
Ky Green headed wide from a set piece and Lucinee Donzo’s shot from the edge of the box was cleared by Ben Arnold before the introduction of Pegg on the hour mark.
He thought he’d made an instant impact, heading home a cross just a minute later only to see his celebrations cut short by another offside flag.
But Hinckley weren’t to be kept at bay for much longer – and when Ky Green knocked down Bradshaw’s corner, Rankin swivelled on the ball six yards out and fired into the roof of the net to break the deadlock.
Like Pegg, fellow substitute Luke Jones almost had an impact within minutes of coming on, but he first guided Farruch’s cross narrowly wide before dragging just beyond the far post with only ‘keeper Caleb Chandler to beat.
Hinckley’s first clean sheet of the season has been long-awaited, nearly five months passing since the opening day win at Eynesbury. The shut-out did come with a hint of fortune, firstly Brown missing a sitter at the far post when unmarked six yards out, and then Josh Hales striking the base of the post from outside the box.
But although they wouldn’t need it in the end, they did grab a second with 13 minutes to play, Pegg showing his goalscoring instincts again at the end of magnificent team move. Adam Barber was heavily involved, and his pass and move cut open the visiting defence allowing his low cross to be slid home by Pegg.
The win secured, there was to be a further cheer from the fans when Isa Abraham made his return from injury after three months out.
It’s Hinckley’s seventh home win in a row, and fifth in six in the league overall, as they continue their strong end to 2024 ahead of Boxing Day’s visit to Lutterworth Town.
Hinckley: Keelan Fallows, Harry Walker-Donovan (Jay D’Lionga 17), Adam Barber, Lucinee Donzo, Ky Green, Lewis Rankin (Isa Abraham 78), Zaki Evans (Oli Szymanski 88), Bryan Kohyrelon (Chandler Pegg 60), Jared Bradshaw (Luke Jones 68), Leo Farruch, Calum Flanagan.
Goals: Lewis Rankin (65), Chandler Pegg (77)
Godmanchester: Caleb Chandler, Rio Thompson (Toby Jackson 89), Matt Cox, Jesse Forson, Ben Arnold, Lewis Arber (Ashraf Masumbuko 85), Sam Collison (Ceri Hayes 79), Jacob Dickson (Josh Hales 73), Dan Brown, Declan Rogers, Tom Spark.
Attendance: 216
