Hinckley AFC welcome Coventry United to Kirkby Road for another local derby under the lights for some Monday Night Football.
Both sides had their away matches postponed on Saturday, so will be fresh and raring to go for Hinckley’s second consecutive home local derby, after narrow defeat to league leaders Nuneaton Town last time out.
And AFC could welcome James Spruce in for a debut after his recent signing from Sutton United, while Drew Kear has landed back in the country after his travels in Australia.
The opposition
This game falls in the week of arguably the biggest game in Coventry United’s history, as they look ahead to an FA Vase last 16 tie against North Shields this weekend.
They’re the last United Counties League side in the Vase, and now face a fifth consecutive home tie as they look to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.
Four straight home draws, and wins, in the Vase have added to their impressive form at the Butts Park Arena, where they have won every game since the middle of August. But their form away from CV1 has been a bit patchier, having lost four of their last five on the road – twice to Nuneaton (in league and cup) as well as to Moulton and ON Chenecks.
Before that Vase tie, they visit Kirkby Road aiming to move into the play-offs with a win, which would take them above Atherstone Town and into fifth. Their formidable start to 2026 has seen them win all four games, all at home, scoring 16 goals and conceding just two.
A solid defence has provided the backbone of their climb up the table – they have conceded the fewest goals in the league – while they have two prolific scorers in the form of ex-Hinckley forward Ryan Harkin, who has 25 goals for the season already, and last season’s top scorer Cameron Dunn, who has 18.
From the dressing room
“We’re under no illusions that this will be one of our toughest games of the season. Coventry United are very well-organised, well-drilled, and they’ve got good players who are capable of magic while also being hard to beat. Ryan Harkin has scored a lot of goals but they’ve got plenty of other threats too.
“We’ll have to be on our mettle to ensure we can impose ourselves on the game, and create and finish chances. And by no means will we underestimate them. From what we’ve seen they’ll be up and around it this season to challenge for promotion.”
Chris Tullin
Key information
Kirkby Road has a large, free on-site car park, and we have both cash and card turnstiles available. Hinckley AFC members gain £1 discount on the admission prices below.
Adults: £8
Concessions: £6
Under 16s: £2 (FREE with a Hinckley AFC Junior membership card)
