Hinckley AFC start their journey in this season’s Emirates FA Cup with a Friday night clash at home to Whitchurch Alport, kick off 8pm.
The world’s oldest cup competition returns this weekend with Hinckley entering in the extra preliminary round and tasked with a home tie against a fellow step five outfit – and it’ll be a later than usual kick-off time to allow Whitchurch to make the lengthy journey from near the Welsh border.
There’s only been one previous meeting between the sides – one that lives long in the memory for Hinckley when a goal late in each half gave AFC a 2-0 win in the Midland League Cup final at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium.
Only three players who played that night could feature again – Chandler Pegg is the sole AFC survivor from that night, although Ky Green was an unused substitute at the Bescot, alongside Whitchurch duo George Carpenter and Alex Hughes.
The opposition
After a mid-table finish last season, Whitchurch Alport have started this campaign brightly – a 2-0 win away to AFC Wolverhampton City on the opening day was followed up by a goalless draw against Northwich Victoria on Tuesday in which they played more than an hour with 10 men.
It means they’re yet to concede a goal this season, despite playing two sides who reached last season’s play-offs in their opening two games.
Hughes scored one of their goals at the weekend and remains a key threat in front of goal – having netted more than 70 times across four seasons for Alport either side of a spell with Northwich Victoria. Ollie Holden was their leading scorer last season with 14, and netted the other on the opening day.
From the dressing room
“The start of the FA Cup is something we always look forward to. As the saying goes, it’s magic, and even though we’re all aware that we won’t win it, at our level it’s about creating those magical moments and memories for the fans and players.
“It comes with its financial benefits too, of course, and we’ll never not go full tilt at the FA Cup. It’s a special competition, with special memories to be made and we’ll go into this tie looking to win it in 90 minutes.”
Ross Innes
Key information
Should the match finish level after 90 minutes, then a replay will be held at Whitchurch Alport’s Yockings Park home on Tuesday night – kicking off at 8pm.
Season tickets and membership discounts are not valid for Emirates FA Cup matches – this is an all pay fixture.
Kirkby Road has a large, free on-site car park, and we have both cash and card turnstiles available.
Adults: £8
Concessions: £6
Under 16s: £2
