A Leicestershire derby and top of the table clash awaits Hinckley AFC this weekend as Ingles make the short journey across the county to Kirkby Road.
The sides meet for the third time in less than two months as two of the league’s most in-form teams go head-to-head at Kirkby Road.
Leaders Hinckley, unbeaten in 15 games in all competitions, take on an Ingles side who have started 2024 in roaring fashion.
Both will have a new signing in toe too, with Hinckley having re-signing goalkeeper Matt Hill this week and Ingles adding a proven goalscorer.
The opposition
Ingles signed former Aylestone Park forward Matt Langham this week as a statement of intent in bringing in a striker who was Aylestone’s top scorer at step five this term.
They will hope that move will add even more firepower to an attack that has already scored 13 goals in their last three games, winning all three without conceding.
Since losing to Hinckley on Boxing Day, Ingles have beaten Smethwick Rangers 3-0 before putting five past Nuneaton Griff and Paget Rangers to rise to third in the table.
Jack Allen, Dan Chapman, Josh Bowley and Billy Snaith all scored in both of those 5-0 wins, Allen their leading scorer on ten for the season.
Their defence has been impressive too – those three clean sheets mean they have the second-best defensive record in the division with just 29 goals conceded.
Previous meetings
Hinckley’s 2-0 win at Homestead Road on Boxing Day gained revenge for the match there three weeks earlier, when Ingles progressed to the Leicestershire Senior Cup quarter-finals via a penalty shoot-out.
Ky Green and Isa Abraham scored a month ago, while AFC won the corresponding fixture last season 3-1.
From the dressing room
“We had a good result against them on Boxing Day but this will be a different game to the away match. I’ll admit I’m not sure how Shaun will set up, I get on with him well and he’s made a good signing this week in Matt Langham who’s a fantastic striker for the level. Bringing him in shows they mean business, it’s a statement of intent from them.
“Ingles are on a fantastic run since we beat them – they’ve scored 13 and conceded none in three wins, so it will be a really tough game. We always say we like playing at home but teams also like coming to us on the 3G pitch. We’ll have to be at our best to beat them, defend well and be ruthless. The tough games keep coming – Wednesfield, Allscott Heath and Ingles are all around the play-offs but to win leagues we have to get positive results from them.”
Joe Conneely
Key information
Cash and card turnstiles are both available at Kirkby Road while there is also a large car park on site.
Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
