Hinckley AFC picked up a hard-earned first point of 2026 after another entertaining encounter ended level against Histon.
It’s the third game in a row against the Stutes where Hinckley have gone behind, then led and in the end had to settle for a point – but after five consecutive defeats in which they scored just one goal, strikes from Brady Middleton and Drew Kear made this a positive day away to the play-off chasers.
It was an entertaining game for the most part, albeit one where the attritional qualities of both sides shone through rather the footballing ones, on a surface which was heavy but playable, for which the Histon groundstaff deserve credit after the deluge of rain during the week.
It was an even opening to the game – chances were at a premium and both defences were on top for long spells, but Hinckley thought they’d taken the lead when Jordan Clement brought down a high ball and finished well, only for the referee to blow up for a foul.
At the other end, Divin Emmanuel raced out quickly to deny Connor Barnes after a ricochet off Jacob Shilton bounced his way, and then Joe Greenslade-Cross got in down the left channel but sliced wide.
Histon, chasing an extension to their 100% winning record this calendar year, gradually got on top as the half wore on and took the lead 11 minutes before the break – a long throw was flicked on to Jordan Foster, whose initial effort was well saved by Emmanuel but the same player reacted quickest to convert the rebound.
The home side threatened again through Theo Goddard shortly after but Hinckley weren’t behind for long. The equaliser came courtesy of a fine solo effort from Middleton, who held off Karl Saffery’s shirt pull and bent home an excellent strike from 25 yards.
The sides exchanged chances early in the second half – Jake Tullin heading over from a deep corner before play switched to the other end and Barnes picked out Foster, who dragged wide when well-placed.
When Histon put together the best footballing move of the match, they moved from left-back to right wing with crisp passing only for Max Ryan’s strike to be superbly blocked by Jacob Shilton, and that looked crucial when Hinckley took the lead inside the final 20 minutes. From a Histon corner, AFC broke quickly and Kear strode beyond the defence to pick his spot and give his side the lead for the first time this calendar year.
But again, the lead didn’t last long – Histon recycled a corner at the far post and a deep cross picked out Goddard, who took a touch before hammering into the roof of the net.
Both sides tried to find a winner. James Spruce was denied a first Hinckley goal by a superb recovering block by Max York, while Histon forced plenty of corners and attacking throws but Emmanuel was untroubled as his defence, led by teenage duo Shilton and Tullin, repelled balls into the box.
And that earned a warm ovation from the travelling fans who were rewarded for their longest away day of the season with a hard-earned draw, and gives plenty to build on ahead of the visit of Newport Pagnell Town next week.
Histon: Jake West, Jake Kerins, Adden Tokley (Charlie Black 58), Joe O’Neill (Luke Crisp 82), Max York, Karl Saffery, Jordan Foster, Theo Goddard, Connor Barnes, Max Ryan (Ben Netherclift 89), Joe Greenslade-Cross (Harry Hurst 68). Sub not used: Danny Baulk.
Goals: Jordan Foster (34), Theo Goddard (77)
Hinckley: Divin Emmanuel, Alex Dean (Drew Kear 46), Gabe Webster, Jake Tullin, Jacob Shilton, Charlie Williams, Alex Lock, Zaki Evans, Brady Middleton (Chandler Pegg 68), Jordan Clement (Caleb Yeboah 68), Zach Tellyn (James Spruce 75). Sub not used: Lucinee Donzo.
Goals: Brady Middleton (43), Drew Kear (74)
Attendance: 272
