Hinckley AFC 2-0 Nuneaton Griff
A goal in each half from Marco Adaggio gave Hinckley AFC a comfortable 2-0 win over Nuneaton Griff at St John’s Park.
In front of a bumper Boxing Day crowd of 242, Adaggio’s fourth brace for the club helped AFC extend their unbeaten run and continue their resurgence that has seen them rise to fourth in the Midland League First Division table.
Hinckley named the same side that hammered Stafford Town last week, and they were nearly ahead after just three minutes when Ross Clarke’s corner was flicked on at the near post and cleared off the line.
Both sides were finding it difficult to play fluently on a heavy pitch, but Hinckley began to dominate after the quarter hour mark and after Adaggio turned his man on the edge of the box, he could only sky over.
Then, Clarke’s magnificent switch of play found Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell, who ran at the visiting defence. His cross was only parried by Alex Horton, and Justin Nisbett hit the side netting at the far post.
But parity lasted on three more minutes as Hinckley made their dominance count on the scoresheet. Clarke-O’Connell beat two men down the left wing and pulled back to the edge of the box, where Adaggio guided the ball into the bottom corner.
Shortly before half time, Hinckley came within inches of doubling their lead when Dominic Smith headed Clarke’s free kick onto the bar.
Hinckley continued where they left off after the interval, and Horton denied Nathan Walker from close range after a good move involving Adaggio and Matt Gardner.
Nuneaton’s first shot on target came after seventy minutes: substitute Jack Webb seeing his shot saved by Jack Hartopp.
A minute later, Hinckley doubled their lead. Clarke’s pinpoint pass split the Griff defence, and Adaggio and Luke Richards both beat the offside trap to race through two on one with the goalkeeper. Unselfishly, Richards squared for Adaggio to convert from inside the six yard box.
Adaggio had a chance for his hattrick with six minutes remaining, but he struck into the side netting after rounding Horton, before the visiting ‘keeper made a good save late on to deny Richards.
AFC’s unbeaten run now stands at twelve, and they will look to make it a lucky thirteen at league leaders Highgate United next Saturday.
Hinckley: Jack Hartopp, Mitchell Tomlinson, Isaac Cooper, Dominic Smith, Alex Morris, Nathan Walker, Justin Nisbett (Luke Richards 62), Ross Clarke (Michael Healy 75), Matt Gardner (Avun Jephcott 62), Marco Adaggio, Tyrone Clarke-OConnell. Sub not used: Jordan Rushton
Goals: Marco Adaggio (21, 71)
Nuneaton: Alex Horton, Andy Evans, Charlie Reardon, Josh Willis (Josh McEwan 88), Liam Baginskis (Elliott Palmer 75), Corey Faulconbridge, Connor Faulconbridge, Chris Sockett, Luke Shorthouse (Jack Webb 46), Aden Moore, Jack Colley.
Attendance: 242
