Hinckley AFC face a third straight away trip to a top-half side with the short journey to second-placed Aylestone Park on Saturday.
After losing narrowly to Newport Pagnell Town and then beating Daventry Town, Hinckley now make the short trip up the M69 for the toughest test of the three against title-chasing Aylestone.
On a day where every team from second to 11th in the UCL South table plays another side in that group, the play-off picture could be drastically different by 5pm on Saturday.
But Hinckley know that a win in the Leicestershire derby would keep them in fifth, while a draw would likely do the same.
The opposition
Aylestone were top of the table two weeks before Christmas but three defeats in their last six, including two to lowly duo Leicester Nirvana and Oadby Town, have given their title hopes a setback.
They’re now 11 points behind leaders St Neots, but with two games in hand, and their start to the season, when they won 10 of their first 13 games, shows they’re capable of making up that gap, as does a recent 4-0 win against third-placed Rugby Borough.
They’re also the league’s second-highest goalscorers and have its third-best defence.
Sam Hollis is their leading scorer with 24 this season, while Abdul Sunmonu has added 10 for Aylestone to the 11 he scored for Lutterworth Town before moving earlier this season.
Previous meetings
Aylestone won the reverse fixture 1-0, Hinckley’s first home game of the season, back in July courtesy of a Justin Peace header in first-half stoppage time.
Hinckley’s last visit to Aylestone was settled by a late winner, that time in Hinckley’s favour when Charlie Evans’ header secured a 2-1 victory in the UCL Division One just over three years ago.
From the dressing room
“Aylestone have had a difficult start to 2025 but we know how good they are. They’re going for the title for a reason. They’ll still think, with games in hand, that they can catch St Neots but they’ll be wary of us this weekend.
“I speak to Doddsy, their manager, a lot and get on with him well, but I want to beat him and he’ll want to beat me. Our record against each other is probably about level over the years from his time at Birstall and Aylestone. He’s done a good job but there is pressure because their target will be to get promoted. We’ve been in that position before and it isn’t easy, and they’ll be looking to get back on track. I’ve no doubt they’ll do that, but hopefully after Saturday!”
Joe Conneely
Key information
Aylestone’s red home kit means Hinckley will be playing in our purple away kit for this match.
Aylestone play at Saffron Lane, Aylestone, Leicester, LE2 6TG.
Adults: £6
Concessions: £3
Under 16s: Free
