Hinckley AFC begin November’s action with a home tie against Eastwood at Kirkby Road hoping to build on the largely positive October for Chris Tullin’s side.
AFC picked up three wins and a draw in five matches last month which, aside from the defeat at AFC Mansfield, showed signs of progress for Tullin and his squad.
But now they face arguably the toughest test of the season so far with title favourites Eastwood coming to town, and they’ll have to make do without injured centre-half Ky Green while Najeem Oriola and Prince Ogbe are both suspended after recent red cards.
But AFC will be boosted by returns of Divin Emmanuel, Lucinee Donzo and George Dimmock who were cup-tied last week, as well as Shaun Watkins following his suspension for two yellow cards in two Vase matches.
The opposition
Eastwood were heavily tipped for the title before a ball was kicked, and sacked their manager after a shock opening day defeat to Leicester Nirvana – with Billy Bennett and Kieren Fenton taking over.
They oversaw a 3-3 draw at home to AFC Mansfield in the first midweek of the campaign, and since then Eastwood have won every league game they’ve played, as well as progressing in the FA Vase.
Belper United looked like providing their strongest competition, but their leading scorer Keaton August now wears an Eastwood shirt after transferring last month alongside Jack Duffy from step three Peterborough Sports.
August’s addition means the Red Badgers now have four players on their books who are in double figures for goals already this season – Tyler Blake leads the charts for the entire league with 19, while Jamie Walker and Luke Rawson have 15 and 13 respectively. Eastwood are, therefore, the division’s top goalscorers.
And only two sides have conceded fewer, a defence marshalled by goalkeeper Scott Loach who was twice called into England squads under Fabio Capello.
From the dressing room
“It will be a very tough task against a side who are flying at the moment. We’ll go out there to play our game and match them up 11 v 11, but there’s no doubt they’re a fantastic side with fantastic players and a strong management team. Whatever the level of players you bring in, you have to gel them together and their management have done that which is credit to them.
“But we don’t fear anyone, we’ll go out there to impose ourselves, cause them problems and hopefully come out of it with a positive result to start November well.”
Chris Tullin
Key information
This will mark our Remembrance fixture, so there will be a minute’s silence before the match. There will also be a flag bearer from the Royal British Legion at the game.
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)
