Hinckley AFC made it nine home wins on the bounce as a superb all-round performance saw off Yaxley at Kirkby Road.
Fresh from beating Oadby Town 4-1 last week, Hinckley’s supporters were treated to another four goals this week in a display that was dominant from start to finish.
Leo Farruch put AFC ahead in the first half, before Jared Bradshaw’s double and Luke Jones’ crisp volley secured a comfortable win and ensured Hinckley will begin February holding the final play-off place.
Even without leading scorer Bryan Kohyrelon and centre-back Calum Flanagan, Hinckley didn’t miss their influence and were in control from early on against Yaxley.
The returning Joe Obi, making his first league start October, saw an early header deflected wide before a key talking point on 12 minutes. Isa Abraham beat goalkeeper Max Rigby to a ball that looked just inside the box, but the referee awarded a free-kick despite Hinckley’s protests that they should have a penalty. Rigby was booked, and Farruch curled the set piece harmlessly over.
Hinckley were having the vast majority of possession, albeit didn’t create the level of chances that their dominance probably should have. Rigby denied Chandler Pegg and Zaki Evans in quick succession before the opening goal just before the half hour.
Obi was the creator, a pinpoint through ball from deep which Farruch ran onto, springing the offside trap before finishing.
Matt Harris-Hercules fired over from Yaxley’s first chance, a snapshot after a scramble in the box, before Farruch was denied a second by a fine Rigby save just before the break.
At 1-0, and with Yaxley possessing pace on the counter, the visitors never felt out of the game, particularly when they started the second period the brighter.
But Keelan Fallows wasn’t tested during that period and Hinckley quickly doubled their lead ten minutes after the break.
Bradshaw scored a sensational free kick against Yaxley three weeks ago, and netted with another dead ball situation this time as a wide free kick eluded everyone and nestled inside the far post.
And he soon made it a quickfire double, side-footing Farruch’s cross in off the underside of the bar in a move that was started by a superb solo run by Abraham.
With the points secured, Hinckley continued to enjoy themselves and Jones came close to a fourth with a shot that was deflected inches wide.
They also ensured a third clean sheet from their last five games, albeit with a hint of fortune as Enoch Opayinka saw a shot strike the base of the post, and late on George Carder had one cleared off the line by a combination of Fallows and Alex Vineall.
And Hinckley added a fourth goal late on as Ky Green recycled a free kick and crossed for Jones to steal across his man and volley home.
It’s now just one defeat in 10 for Hinckley, who are fifth going into February in which they play three of the sides with similar play-off ambitions, starting with next week’s trip to Newport Pagnell Town.
Hinckley: Keelan Fallows, Jay D’Lionga, Adam Barber, Harry Walker-Donovan (Lucinee Donzo 57), Ky Green, Joe Obi, Isa Abraham (Luke Jones 67), Zaki Evans, Chandler Pegg (Lewis Rankin 78), Jared Bradshaw (Alex Vineall 85), Leo Farruch. Sub not used: Sam Belcher.
Goals: Leo Farruch (27), Jared Bradshaw (55, 67), Luke Jones (83)
Yaxley: Max Rigby, Harvey Robertson, Jay Chilvers, Adrian Bilicz, Enoch Opayinka, Evan Watkins (Lewis Lilley 70), Julinho Gomes (Josh Turner 78), Matt Harris-Hercules, Jae Mead (George Carder 70), Denys Dushkin, Jordan Venters (Callum Pratt 46). Sub not used: Mark Baines.
Attendance: 182
Picture: Farouk Kigonya/Taken by 17