Two late goals condemned Hinckley AFC to defeat as Coventry United continued their winning start to 2026 with a 2-0 success at Kirkby Road.
On a chilly and wet Monday night, the visitors did what they managed in the reverse fixture back in July, with two goals in the final 11 minutes earning them the points.
Coventry United started the brighter, and moved the ball well on the 3G pitch. They created chances, but Hinckley defended fairly well and most of their first-half opportunities were efforts from the edge of the box – Divin Emmanuel holding from Charlie Shaw before Cameron Dunn bent one not far wide.
The exceptions were a couple for ex-Hinckley man Ryan Harkin, who twice had efforts on the left-hand angle which Emmanuel did well to save on either post – particularly the first at full stretch away to his left.
But Hinckley, despite not being at their best, arguably had the best chances – Brady Middleton flicked over a pinpoint Zach Tellyn cross from close range and then, shortly before the interval, a passing move ended with Jordan Clement picking out Middleton, who danced past Harry Sawyer but tucked his shot wide with just Dan Moore to beat.
And both sides were wondering how the game was still scoreless after the first five minutes of the second half, when a big chance at either end went begging. From a Hinckley corner, United broke at pace and Nehemia Zazi fed Dunn through on goal, Emmanuel racing from his line to block.
And play immediately switched to the other end, where Chandler Pegg’s shot was pushed away by the full-stretch Moore and Middleton’s follow-up was superbly blocked by Shay Palmer.
Hinckley were in the ascendancy by this point and Moore palmed away Clement’s 25-yarder, before Zaki Evans headed wide a cross from Alex Dean.
But as the half wore on, the visitors grasped control again and, after Chris Cox had a goal ruled out for offside, they took the lead with 11 minutes to play when Sawyer’s low cross was turned home by Cody Mullan.
And they added a second as the game ticked into stoppage time. Harkin uncharacteristically spurned a big chance from six yards as Emmanuel turned it over the bar, but it mattered not – from the resulting corner, Steph Morley’s delivery flew straight in to secure the win and mean Hinckley are still looking for their first point of 2026.
Hinckley: Divin Emmanuel, Alex Dean, Gabe Webster, Jake Tullin, Jacob Shilton, Zaki Evans, Alex Lock, Jordan Clement, Chandler Pegg (Ashton DeMulder 56 (Drew Kear 76)), Brady Middleton (James Spruce 64), Zach Tellyn (Caleb Yeboah 64). Sub not used: Charlie Williams.
Coventry Utd: Dan Moore, Harry Sawyer, Steph Morley, Shay Palmer, Chris Cox, Luke Downes, Charlie Shaw (Danny Fraser 90), Cody Mullan, Ryan Harkin (Dan Cassidy 94), Nehemia Zazi (Benji Adomako 67), Cameron Dunn (Stan Dube 75).
Goals: Cody Mullan (79), Steph Morley (90)
Attendance: 203
Picture: Phil Passingham
