Hinckley AFC head to Staveley Miners Welfare on Saturday looking for the win that would make this their best FA Vase run in eight years.
Not since 2018/19 have Hinckley reached round three, having made that stage for three consecutive years until that point, but Chris Tullin’s side have the chance to extend their run again with victory at Staveley.
Suspensions and cup ties will leave Tullin missing a handful of players but, after wins over Highgate United and Eccleshall, he will be hoping that a change of competition can bring another positive result for his side.
The opposition
Staveley have enjoyed a good start to their season in the UCL Division One but lost to Sandiacre Town last weekend to hand them a first league defeat since 1st August.
In the Vase, they have flexed their muscles with three wins over step five opponents from three different leagues, scoring 11 goals in the process. They’ve beaten Glossop North End of the North West Counties, Stockport Georgians of the Midland League and then Combined Counties North outfit Ardley United last time out.
That near-three month gap between league defeats also has them second in Division One, four points behind Clipstone though the leaders do have two games in hand.
Archie White is their leading scorer with 12 goals while Tom Wood has 10.
From the dressing room
“There’s nothing but improvement that can follow on from last week. We have to go into it with a completely different mindset because it will be another tough game. We’ll have to make changes because of cup-ties and suspensions and it’s up to the lads who come in to keep their shirts.”
Chris Tullin
Key information
Like the League Cup tie at Staveley last season, if the match is level after 90 minutes then the tie will go straight to a penalty shoot-out to determine who progresses to round three. The draw for that will be made on Monday, with ties to be played at the end of November.
Staveley play at Inkersall Road, Staveley, Derbyshire, S43 3JL.
Adults: £5
Concessions: £3
