After a confidence-boosting FA Vase win last week, Hinckley AFC will hope to take that form into the league as they return to United Counties Premier North action against Heanor Town at Kirkby Road.
Hinckley’s comprehensive win last Friday night earned them a place in the first round proper with six goals easing them to a first victory of Chris Tullin’s tenure.
Now, the aim is to take that into the league against an in-form Heanor side – and they could be handed a double-boost in midfield with captain Zaki Evans hoping to be fit again after his hip flexor issue, while Charlie Williams is available too.
The opposition
After finishing 19th last season, only a reprieve kept Heanor at step five and after a tough start saw them lose three of their first four this term, fans may have feared another difficult campaign.
But they have gone on a fine run since then, unbeaten in their last seven in all competitions in a run which has seen them progress up the table and into the play-off spots.
They’ve beaten Sheffield, Deeping and Hucknall in the league and taken a point from a trip to high-flying Clay Cross, putting them fourth in the league with 13 points.
They are there despite only scoring nine goals in those seven games (only two sides have scored fewer) but they scored three last week in draw with Clifton All Whites in the Vase, and have only conceded 10. Sacha Markelic is their leading scorer with six goals.
From the dressing room
“One game playing like we did last week isn’t enough, so we need to take that into the league now. We’ve done our research on Heanor but our focus us very much on us and how we’ll play, so we’ll go out there with a similar mindset and aim to take it forward.”
Chris Tullin
Key information
Kirkby Road has a large, free on-site car park, and we have both cash and card turnstiles available. Hinckley AFC members gain £1 discount on the admission prices below.
Adults: £8
Concessions: £6
Under 16s: £2 (FREE with a Hinckley AFC Junior membership card)
