Hinckley AFC’s final pre-season friendly ended in defeat as former AFC players scored all three goals for Atherstone Town.
The final test before the start of the new season saw Hinckley on the wrong end of a comfortable scoreline courtesy of Riley Davoile and two for Ryan Harkin.
The hosts took the lead inside a couple of minutes through a really well-worked goal. ‘Keeper Lewis Gwilliams claimed the ball from a Hinckley free kick and set Atherstone on the counter down the left, and after a couple of neat interchanges, Jack Edwards laid off to Davoile on the edge of the box who cut past his man and found the corner.
Both goalkeepers remained largely untested after that – Lewis Collins struck wide of the near post with Atherstone’s best other chance while Fin Barker drove narrowly wide for Hinckley.
And the game was sealed with two quickfire goals from another ex-Hinckley man early in the second half. Harkin’s first came when he picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and drove to the edge of the box where he finished with aplomb.
And soon after that, Hinckley’s trialist ‘keeper parried Collins’ shot and Harkin deftly lobbed home the rebound.
It leaves Hinckley with plenty of food for thought over the next week, as attention now turns to the United Counties Premier North opener away to Newark Town on Saturday.
