Brady Middleton’s second-half double and a long-awaited clean sheet helped Hinckley AFC to a 3-0 win at Eynesbury Rovers.
On a showery afternoon, this was a Hinckley performance that had all the hallmarks of a terrific away victory against a decent side – they weren’t on top throughout, but defended well, looked threatening in attack and were clinical when the chances came their way.
After missing Monday’s match against Lutterworth, Middleton came straight back into the line-up alongside the returning Luke Jones, who was handed a start after re-signing from Nuneaton.
It was the home side who started on top, and had a couple of sighters when Luke Young flashed across the face from a narrow angle, and then Scott Joseph’s goalbound prod was cleared away by the recovering Jacob Shilton.
But Hinckley soon got more into their stride – Jared Bradshaw forced the first save from either keeper when Oliver Steinke pushed wide at the near post.
The hosts should have taken the lead on 18 minutes – Lewis Lynn found space to meet a left-wing cross but he slid wide from close range.
And Hinckley made the most of that let-off with the opening goal. Jones nearly marked his return with a rasping finish, but his effort cannoned off the bar. The rebound flew to the edge of the box, where Clement took one touch and fired a similarly clean strike into the top corner.
Carl O’Neill’s only notable save of the half came when he tipped over from Lynn’s free kick and but he had to be alert early in the second, racing from his line to block from Young after an error at the back.
With Eynesbury captain Michael King in the sinbin, Hinckley sought to take advantage and nearly did when Jones’ pass sent Middleton through on goal, but his effort clipped the post.
The striker, though, didn’t spurn a second invitation. Less than 10 minutes later, O’Neill’s long kick caused two Eynesbury defenders to run into each other and the gleeful Middleton made no mistake this time.
Lynn and Young continued to offer the home side’s biggest threat. Lynn fired an effort off the post and then Young was denied by O’Neill again as Hinckley rode the element of fortune that most away clean sheets need.
And Hinckley wrapped up the points with 15 minutes to play, Middleton glancing home Zach Tellyn’s corner for his fourth in three games.
Both sides made a raft of substitutions after that, and Hinckley ended the game with five teenagers on the pitch before a warm appreciation from the travelling fans following the full time whistle.
Eynesbury: Oliver Steinke, Tom Reynolds (Martin Hill 61), Max Kimpton, Harry Hurst, Nathan George, Dan Hammer (Oliver Brookes 69), Lewis Lynn (Jamal Batchilly 82), Michael King, Luke Young, Scott Joseph (Oskar Ciach 77), Babacar Camara. Sub not used: Chris Gough.
Hinckley: Carl O’Neill, Jake Tullin, Will Harris, Lucinee Donzo, Ben Whitehead, Jacob Shilton, Jared Bradshaw (Reece Massey 90), Jordan Clement (Lewis Rankin 74), Brady Middleton (Caiden Robinson 83), Luke Jones (Prince Ogbe 69), Zach Tellyn (Charlie Williams 81).
Goals: Jordan Clement (27), Brady Middleton (63, 76)
Attendance: 168
