Hinckley moved back into the play-off spots with a 4-1 win over Coventry United, and in doing so they avenged the defeat suffered in the reverse fixture back in October.
The thought of a top five place was a long way from the minds of the Hinckley fans when they departed the Butts Park Arena after that chastening defeat by the same scoreline.
But this side, containing eight players who started that afternoon, are a different proposition these days and two goals towards the end of the first half set them on their way to a tenth successive home victory.
The visitors had the better of the opening exchanges, a couple of long range strikes from Cameron Dunn warmed the hands of Keelan Fallows on a bitterly cold evening before a left wing cross flashed dangerously across the face of goal, but as the half developed, Hinckley began to threaten.
Jared Bradshaw shot wide after a burst from midfield, before they took the lead ten minutes before the break, a simple goal as Bradshaw’s left wing corner was headed home by Jasper Tetlow.
After Bryan Kohyrelon was denied by a fine block from ‘keeper Jake Bull, AFC doubled their lead just before the interval. It was a well worked team goal with the ever impressive Adam Barber involved twice, initially receiving a throw from Fallows before releasing the ball, continuing his run and receiving Isa Abraham’s pass to get to the bye line and cross for Luke Jones to head home.
Hinckley dominated at the start of the second half as they looked to put the game to bed. A good strike from George Atwal was saved by the legs of ‘keeper Bull, who then spilled a cross for Tetlow whose effort was blocked on the line, before Bull made a superb save to tip over Bradshaw’s deflected free kick.
United almost grabbed a goal on the break as Calum Flanagan remained alert to clear an effort from Dunn off the line before Hinckley grabbed their third on the hour. Atwal’s pass set Bradshaw free on the right and his low, driven cross was steered into his own net by Liam Merrick.
Moments later, the visitors pulled one back, a fine solo effort from Dunn who made ground from halfway before driving a low shot home off a post.
Hinckley briefly lost focus as Coventry sensed a way back into the game but normal order, and the three goal cushion, was restored ten minutes from time when Atwal picked out Chandler Pegg in the area and the ball sat up nicely for him to finish emphatically.
It set the seal on another impressive victory, the eighth time Hinckley have scored four goals on home soil this season with a League Cup quarter-final against Lincoln United at Kirkby Road to look forward to on Saturday.
Hinckley: Keelan Fallows, Jay D’Lionga (Harry Walker-Donovan 70), Adam Barber, George Atwal, Calum Flanagan, Jasper Tetlow, Luke Jones, Zaki Evans (Joe Obi 85), Bryan Kohyrelon (Chandler Pegg 63), Jared Bradshaw (Lucinee Donzo 72), Isa Abraham (Keaton Blackbird 82).
Goals: Jasper Tetlow (35), Luke Jones (42), Liam Merrick (62 OG), Chandler Pegg (78)
Coventry Utd: Jake Bull, Dan Cassidy (Harry Wilson 82), Junior Osazee (Aaron Dickens 55), Chris Cox, James Ritson, Liam Merrick (Jordan Wilson 74), Stanley Dube, Scott Hammond (Dylan Parker 55), Joe Cairns (Gift Mussa 55), Riley Davoile, Cameron Dunn.
Goal: Cameron Dunn (65)
Attendance: 232
