Hinckley AFC take on Moulton at Kirkby Road on Friday night for the chance to reach the United Counties League Cup semi-finals.
After a tough start to 2026 results wise, both clubs will hope to put their stuttering league form to one side and make it into the last four.
Both sides have traditionally done well in League Cups. Heading back to their days in the Midland League, Hinckley haven’t been knocked out before the last eight since 2018/19 and won it three seasons ago, while Moulton lifted the Spartan South Midlands League’s version in 2024.
But one side’s run will end in this all-Premier South tie with the other keeping their dream of silverware alive at the end of the season.
The opposition
Moulton have progressed through three home ties to reach this stage, having overcome Newport Pagnell Town, Pinchbeck United and then Boston Town on penalties, and will now play their first away tie of the competition at Kirkby Road.
But having settled into life at step five well, a run of just two points from their last five league games means they now face an uphill task to make the play-offs.
They still sit in fifth place, but are just two points ahead of Atherstone Town and five ahead of Lutterworth Town, who have seven and five games in hand respectively.
Like Hinckley, Moulton’s run of results has come against sides all in the top half but a 6-2 defeat at home to Aylestone Park last week, in which they were 6-0 down before two late consolations, was their heaviest since September.
They were impressive, though, on their league visit to Kirkby Road in November – they won 5-1 that day with Matt Long scoring twice, he has eight for the season alongside Nathan Amaning, while Nat Ansu leads the way with nine.
From the dressing room
“I said when we came in that we treat every match the same, but I’ll contradict myself slightly – this is a big game for us. We want to win this Cup and we need to do that by converting performances into wins.
“I wouldn’t say it takes priority, winning any game is a priority because recent results don’t reflect how we’ve played, but make no mistake that we want to win it.”
Adam Davies
Key information
Kirkby Road has a large, free on-site car park, and we have both cash and card turnstiles available.
If the match finishes level after 90 minutes, the tie will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
With this being a cup match, it is all-pay so season tickets are not valid for this fixture and membership discounts do not apply. Turnstiles will only open from 7pm to allow junior clubs using the pitch until 6.30pm to vacate.
Adults: £8
Concessions: £6
Under 16s: £2
