Hinckley AFC’s three-match winning run is over after Tommy Dear’s only goal of the game deep into stoppage time earned Yaxley all three points.
Just a week after a comfortable home win over the same opponents, this reverse fixture couldn’t have been much different at Leading Drove – Hinckley couldn’t find the same fluency but it still looked like they’d take a point until Dear’s late intervention.
The same player also scored in stoppage time last week, but that was a mere consolation and this one held far more weight as it settled the game his side’s way.
Even before that point, it had been a frustrating afternoon for Hinckley who were on the back foot in the first half, and they improved after the break but still couldn’t find that spark in the final third to break the deadlock.
AFC should have opened the scoring 10 minutes in – Jacob Shilton looked set for a carbon copy of last week’s goal when he shrugged off his man to meet Zach Tellyn’s corner, but he volleyed wide with the goal gaping.
But after that, the first half belonged to the hosts and Julinho Gomes dragged wide after Hinckley were caught on the ball deep in their own half.
AFC’s different system struggled to get to grips with the game, particularly down Yaxley’s right, and the home side had a golden chance on the half hour. Divin Emmanuel raced out to block from Gomes, Frankie Webster’s rebound struck the bar, Gomes had another effort blocked as Hinckley frantically scrambled to keep it out and eventually a foul on Emmanuel relieved the pressure and gave Hinckley a major let-off.
Emmanuel also held Ben Skellett’s deflected strike on the stroke of half time as Hinckley, just about, made it into the interval level.
The management team tweaked the system at the break, and immediately saw an improvement – Hinckley had more control after half time but missed a cutting edge to force home ‘keeper Max Rigby into too much work.
His first save came five minutes into the half – Tellyn’s recycled set piece found Harris at the far post six yards out, but the ball hit him rather than him meeting the ball and Rigby could hold it on his line.
Action at the other end was more limited but when it came, Yaxley had another good opportunity – Webster squared for substitute Dimagio Robinson who blazed over with just Emmanuel to beat.
As the game wore on, Hinckley continued to gain in possession and territory but Yaxley defended well to keep restricting chances. Shilton’s header was deflected just wide and Tellyn shot off-target following Ashton DeMulder’s knockdown.
And just as it looked like Hinckley would play out a first goalless draw since Boxing Day, the game had a late twist – a heavy touch in defence allowed Dear to run through on goal, and he made no mistake to spark huge celebrations among the home side and condemn Hinckley to a frustrating defeat.
Yaxley: Max Rigby, Callum Pratt, Ben Roberts, Jay Chilvers, Luke Gilbert, Adrian Bilicz, Frankie Webster, Spencer Haskins, Julinho Gomes (Dimagio Robinson 55), Tommy Dear, Ben Skellett (Sidney Pereira 55). Subs not used: Ethan Plummer, Archie Ellington, Kobi Smith.
Goal: Tommy Dear (93)
Hinckley: Divin Emmanuel, Drew Kear, Jake Tullin, Caleb Yeboah (Charlie Williams 63), Will Harris, Jacob Shilton, Jared Bradshaw, Reece Massey (Ashton DeMulder 78), Prince Ogbe (Brady Middleton 55), Luke Jones (Jordan Clement 55), Zach Tellyn. Sub not used: Henley Hadley.
Attendance: 126
