Hinckley AFC’s final away game of the season ended in defeat as two goals early in the second half were enough for Easington Sports.
On a warm and sunny spring afternoon, the temperature only added to a real end-of-season feel from the match itself, which was played at a pedestrian tempo.
There was precious little created by either side, but the home side scored twice in three minutes just after the break to ease their relegation worries and ensure any faint play-off hopes are now over for Hinckley.
As if Joe Conneely hadn’t had to deal with enough injuries in the past few weeks, he was now without both of last week’s centre-back pairing Calum Flanagan and Chandler Pegg for the trip to Oxfordshire.
That meant Caleb Yeboah made his first senior start, the midfielder forced to play out of position at right-back, while assistant manager Sam Belcher started a game for the first time this season, again out of position in the middle of defence.
The pitch had been hardened by the lack of recent rain, and it meant a number of passes ran out of play as both sides tried to adapt.
It took half an hour for the first shot on target, and it went Hinckley’s way as Keaton Blackbird cut inside and saw his effort beaten away by Adam Doyle.
Doyle then held Luke Jones’ cross-shot and Zaki Evans sliced wide after a neat move as Hinckley started to get on top.
At the other end, Easington’s best chance of the first 45 came through leading scorer Leam Howards, whose clean strike from outside the box flew not far over.
In the end, it was the first 10 minutes of the second half that cost Hinckley any points. Just four minutes after the break, a deep cross from the right was headed back across goal and Tom Smith was left unmarked to fire home.
Just three minutes later, it was two as Hinckley failed to deal with a long ball and Howards ran through to score.
That pretty much sealed the destination of the points, Hinckley saw plenty of the ball but rarely fashioned any threatening attacks.
The closest either side came to another goal was when Dan Watkin headed over from a corner, and Hinckley will be pleased to put the game behind them as they return home for the final two games of the season, starting with champions St Neots Town next weekend.
Easington: Adam Doyle, Billy Durnin (Luke Fuller 80) Dan Watkin, Elliot Barton, Jacob Humphreys, Josh Reilly (James Watts 76), Joe Eyre, Tom Smith, Ellis Champkins, Leam Howards (Kauan Oliveira 85), Ollie Rose (Ethan Champkins 76). Sub not used: Tommy Kinch.
Goals: Tom Smith (49), Leam Howards (52)
Hinckley: Keelan Fallows, Caleb Yeboah, Jay D’Lionga, Zaki Evans (Randy Doudu 81), Sam Belcher, Oli Szymanski, Keaton Blackbird (Brad Williams 71), Jared Bradshaw, Bryan Kohyrelon, Luke Jones, Leo Farruch. Sub not used: Luca Bien
Attendance: 163
