Hinckley AFC’s three-match unbeaten run will face its sternest test of the season with last season’s step four play-off semi-finalists Long Eaton United visiting Kirkby Road in the preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup.
After a tough opening week, Hinckley were only denied a third straight win by a stoppage-time Aylestone Park equaliser on Monday in front of a bumper 340-strong crowd.
The first of those wins came against Highgate United in the extra preliminary round, and now AFC face a similar tie to this stage last season – when they faced Malvern Town.
The opposition
Like Malvern, Long Eaton finished fifth at step four last season only to lose in the play-offs. United were edged out by Corby Town, but were acknowledged by some as the best footballing side in the division.
And having lost to Corby again on the opening day of this season, they got up and running with a 2-0 win over Derbyshire rivals Mickleover in midweek.
Managed by former Loughborough Dynamo boss Brad Munn, Long Eaton have one of the most prolific front lines at step four. Between them, Evan Garnet, James Shaw and James Taylor bagged 57 league goals last term, Garnett leading the way with 22.
George Atwal, who spent time with Hinckley last season, recently re-joined Long Eaton and could feature against his former club this weekend.
From the dressing room
“It’ll be extremely difficult, but we’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain. We’re massive underdogs, but can we be that team that causes an upset? We watched them on Tuesday night when they beat Mickleover, so we know what they’re about. They’ve got one of the best strikers around as part of a fantastic team, so we’ll be big underdogs but we’ll enjoy the day.
“We learnt from Malvern that top-end step four teams are extremely thorough. They do everything properly, they’ll be workmanlike and organised. We’ve got to try and match it, and if we can then we’ll see what happens.”
Joe Conneely
Key information
If the match ends as a draw, then a replay will take place this coming Tuesday, 19th August, at Long Eaton’s Grange Park home at 7.45pm. The winners of the tie progress to the first round qualifying, the draw for which is on Monday. They will also receive £1,444 from the FA’s prize pot, with the losers taking home £481.
Kirkby Road has a large on-site car park, and we have both cash and card turnstiles available. Season tickets and membership discounts are not valid for this game.
Adults: £8
Concessions: £6
Under 16s: £2
