Hinckley AFC fell to defeat as a header from a set piece in the second half was the only difference between them and Moulton.
AFC failed to follow up last week’s 7-0 win over GNG Oadby Town with another win, with Nathan Burrows’ immediate impact after coming on from the bench sealing the home side’s win.
Moulton had the greater goal threat throughout, hitting the woodwork three times, but it was a game where neither goalkeeper was called into too much work.
The home side came close early when Andy Hall’s wide free kick from near the corner flag bounced back off the bar, while Terry Falcini threatened soon after when his curling effort from the edge of the box struck the woodwork again.
In between those two, Hinckley had the half’s best chance – Drew Kear’s pinpoint through ball sent Alex Lock through on goal and the ball sat up nicely but his lofted effort went wide.
Brady Middleton had a similar sight of goal soon after but couldn’t make a clean contact with ‘keeper Adam North racing out to block him, before the striker then headed Lock’s cross wide at the far post.
But after that end-to-end opening, the game became scrappy and bitty – not helped by a fussy official who blew up for every bit of contact which frustrated both sets of players and gave the game a spiky edge that it needn’t have had.
The only other goalmouth action of an even first half came shortly before the whistle – Zach Tellyn’s corner nearly snuk in for Hinckley, but Moulton cleared and broke at pace with Divin Emmanuel making his first save to race out and block from Matt Long.
The home side came out stronger after the break – Falcini scuffed onto the inside of the post when his teammates were already cheering a goal, and then Damien Osoimoejiokhian wasted their best chance when he blazed wildly over from eight yards.
The left-back made up for that with a smart block from Tellyn, who then called North into action to save his 25-yarder.
But the game’s only goal came with 16 minutes to play – Burrows replaced Long when Moulton were awarded a wide free kick, and when that was delivered into the box, the substitute stole ahead of his man to place a smart header inside the bottom corner.
Hinckley’s frustrations at the officials were compounded soon after when Ed Odley, who had already been booked for an elbow in the first half, then caught Zaki Evans with another flailing arm – but the referee let him off and Odley was substituted at the next break in play.
Perhaps making up for that, cards were dished out like confetti for the remainder of the game but chances were much less frequent and Moulton saw the game out without too many concerns.
Moulton: Adam North, Adam Dicks, Damien Osoimoejiokhian, Ed Odley (Louie Kelly 77), Luke Stevens, Francis Boateng, Terry Falcini (Nathan Amaning 74), Andy Hall, Matt Long (Nathan Burrows 74), Dan White, Lewis Isom (Emmanuel Gbejuade 81). Sub not used: Justin Mensah.
Goal: Nathan Burrows (74)
Hinckley: Divin Emmanuel, Drew Kear, Gabe Webster, Charlie Williams (Raj Palit 75), Jacob Shilton, Jake Tullin, Lucinee Donzo, Zaki Evans (Chandler Pegg 81), Brady Middleton (Prince Ogbe 56), Alex Lock, Zach Tellyn (James Spruce 86). Sub not used: Jordan Clement.
Attendance: 115
Picture: Richard Eason
