Hinckley AFC’s trip to Newport Pagnell Town sees two of the United Counties Premier South’s form sides go head-to-head on Saturday.
At the start of a month that sees three games against fellow play-off chasers, a trip to second-placed Aylestone Park and a League Cup quarter-final, Hinckley first make the trip down the M1 for a first visit to Newport Pagnell.
And AFC will hope to build on a run that sees them lead a 10-game form table in the division, with 23 points from a possible 30 seeing them jump into the play-off spots.
The opposition
Pagnell, meanwhile, are another in-form side and have found their feet after a tricky start. No side has more points from their last seven Premier South games than the Swans’ tally of 16.
They have re-signed a number of their FA Vase-winning squad from three years ago, including Ben Ford, the scorer of Hinckley United’s last goal.
Since a 7-1 loss to Aylestone in November, Pagnell have won five out of their seven games, the only defeat coming against leaders St Neots. It’s a run that has them sitting six points behind Hinckley and the play-offs, but with two games in hand.
They have also shown an ability to conjure up late goals – their last three victories have all come courtesy of winners inside the last 10 minutes.
Former Tamworth and St Ives forward Nabil Shariff is their leading scorer with 13.
From the dressing room
“We know the run we’ve got coming up but we’re not even looking past Newport Pagnell. We set a target of what we wanted to achieve from January, and seven points out of nine isn’t a bad return. We’re where we wanted to be.
“It’ll be a really difficult place to go, against a team who have the same ambitions that we have. They’ll fancy it at home, I’ve never been before but I hear it’s a lovely setup. We beat them at home with a late comeback and we’ll try to win again, but it’ll be extremely tough.”
Joe Conneely
Key information
Newport Pagnell Town play at Willen Road, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, MK16 0DF. Supporters please note that the A509 between Junction 14 of the M1 and Newport Pagnell is currently closed.
They accept cash or card on the turnstiles.
Adults: £8
Concessions: £6
Under 16s: £2
