Hinckley AFC were knocked out of the United Counties League Cup at the first hurdle as Clipstone came from behind to progress.
Division One’s league leaders continued their 100% record this season despite Fin Barker’s opener for Hinckley, as AFC’s set piece frailties haunted them once again in Nottinghamshire.
Already short on numbers, missing Drew Kear, Danny Fraser, Charlie Williams, Dan Edmonds and captain Zaki Evans, Hinckley’s availability issues got even worse before kick off when Ky Green pulled up in the warm-up and had to be replaced by Max Jemson, who was back in a squad for the first time since a hamstring issue of his own.
All looked promising after a quarter of an hour when Barker’s first goal in Hinckley colours gave AFC the lead – he picked up the ball 30 yards out and drove to the edge of the box, and although his shot wasn’t the cleanest struck, it had enough to beat Harrison Torr in the home goal.
But that lead lasted just 10 minutes, a corner proving Hinckley’s undoing once again as Brandon Shaw levelled.
And by the half hour mark, they’d turned the game on its head. Jemson’s comeback lasted just 30 minutes as AFC had to reshuffled defensively again, but while he was off for treatment, a free kick was worked to the penalty spot where Drew Allwood converted.
As the rain poured down, Hinckley’s mood reflected the conditions as another corner saw them go 3-1 down on the stroke of half time – Allwood converting his second after Jack Reeves nodded back across goal.
With Hinckley seeking a moment of inspiration to get them back into the tie, those hopes were dashed with 15 minutes to play – AFC were caught on the ball and Oscar Pearce finished off a quick break down the right to secure Clipstone’s passage into the next round and leave Hinckley needing a lift when they face a trip to Gresley Rovers on Monday.
