Following the high of last weekend’s win in the FA Vase, Hinckley were brought crashing back down to earth with defeat against an Eastwood side who made it ten consecutive league wins.
It’s easy to see why Eastwood are most people’s tip to win the league, they’ve assembled an experienced side full of seasoned players and were in complete control of the game, and gamely though AFC battled, they were well beaten.
On a dismal, foggy afternoon, the game began brightly. Inside the opening seven minutes, Luke Rawson spurned a couple of good opportunities for the visitors before Hinckley’s best chance of the game when Zach Tellyn delivered a pin point cross from the left that found Chandler Pegg who volleyed over.
Thereafter Eastwood took control. They dominated possession and took the lead on 25 minutes as Ryan Wilson drilled home a low free kick.
Ten minutes later they doubled their lead with a wonderful strike from Tyler Blake who received the ball with his back to goal before turning and unleashing a powerful finish from the edge of the area.
Any hopes of an unlikely second half comeback were swiftly dashed by two goals in as many minutes soon after the break. Firstly, a deep cross from the left found Jamie Walker whose header took a deflection into the net, before Hinckley conceded possession straight from the restart and Jordan Hallam drove home a crisp shot.
It became a case of damage limitation for Hinckley as the visitors continued to dictate proceedings, but Divin Emmanuel made some fine saves and Danny Fraser did superbly well to head clear on the goal line to keep the score down.
Hinckley: Divin Emmanuel, Max Jemson, Danny Fraser, Jake Tullin, Lucinee Donzo, Charlie Williams (Shaun Watkins 65), Luke Jones (Chris Tullin 91), Gabe Webster (Afonso Mvula 65), Chandler Pegg, Zach Tellyn (Max Kirby 78), Jordan Gray (George Dimmock 51).
Eastwood: Scott Loach, Curtis Thompson, Louis Nicholson, Ryan Wilson, Jake Wright (Tom Marshall 68), Connor Dimaio, Jordan Hallam (Jack Duffy 57), Callum Chettle, Tyler Blake (Patrick Webb 68), Luke Rawson (Keaton August 57), Jamie Walker. Sub not used: Jacob Pearce.
Goals: Ryan Wilson (25), Tyler Blake (39), Jamie Walker (49), Jordan Hallam (51)
Attendance: 209
