Ashton DeMulder’s debut brace earned Hinckley AFC a place in the United Counties League Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 win at Northampton ON Chenecks.
The new addition from Darlaston Town came off the bench shortly before the hour mark, and scored twice in 12 minutes to turn the tie his side’s way.
And that was enough to see Hinckley into the last eight, after Jordan Clement’s first-half opener had been cancelled out by Luke Davis shortly before the break.
It was a superb effort from the severely depleted travelling side, with Hinckley missing an entire 11 for the trip to Northampton – including cup-tied pair Luke Jones and Brady Middleton.
Divin Emmanuel filled in in goal for Keelan Fallows, who’s still not fully fit, and half of the 10 starting outfield players were teenagers with Prince Ogbe and Charlie Williams handed their first starts.
Under 18s forward Ogbe was a constant threat all afternoon and he gave the Chenecks defenders not a moment’s peace all day.
For much of the game, it wasn’t a particularly pretty affair and goalmouth action was sparse for long spells, but Hinckley did the ugly work well.
After a half chance each, Jacob Shilton having a header saved by Brad Lashley before Luca Iaciofano shot into the side netting, Hinckley took the lead seven minutes before half time. It was the best footballing move of the half, ending with Zach Tellyn picking out the run of Clement, who got the wrong side of his man and lobbed home.
But Hinckley weren’t ahead for long. In the final minute of the half, a Chenecks free kick was headed back across goal and Luke Davis stole in at the far post to convert from barely a yard out.
AFC nearly hit back again before the break, Shilton twice had efforts frantically blocked, but the sides went in level at half time.
The second period was played mostly during a torrential downpour, and Chenecks started well when Ryan Coxhill’s strike from the edge of the box was beaten away by Emmanuel for his first save of the day.
DeMulder was introduced on 55 minutes, and it took just four more for him to make an impact. Ogbe was hacked down on the left flank, and DeMulder converted the resulting Tellyn free-kick, wheeling away in delight having given his side the lead again.
Chenecks’ own replacement, Lamin Jammeh, looked lively after coming on and forced a save from Emmanuel, but that was as close as the home side came to another goal.
And Hinckley put the tie to bed soon after. Ogbe played a major role, Lashley took too long over a clearance and his kick was blocked by the Hinckley forward, with the loose ball falling to DeMulder who found the back of the empty net for his second.
That gave Hinckley a cushion which they wouldn’t relinquish – they defended well in the closing stages with Emmanuel not called upon further and that gave them a passage into the last eight, where they’ll face another Premier South rival in Moulton.
Chenecks: Brad Lashley, Luke Davis, Ryan Hughes (Lamin Jammeh 67), Seb Inniss (Harry Southgate 75), Luca Purse, Sean McBride, Ryan Coxhill, Ash Ogden, Tyrun Primus, Luca Iaciofano (James Lovell 78), Axel Owusu (Curtis Avery 83). Sub not used: Dean Love.
Goal: Luke Davis (45)
Hinckley: Divin Emmanuel, Jake Tullin, Henley Hadley, Reece Massey (Ashton DeMulder 55), Will Harris, Jacob Shilton, Charlie Williams, Lucinee Donzo, Prince Ogbe, Jordan Clement (Caiden Robinson 83), Zach Tellyn. Subs not used: Caleb Yeboah, Ben Whitehead.
Goals: Jordan Clement (38), Ashton DeMulder (59, 71)
