Hinckley AFC secured their second win of the calendar year as goals either side of half time were enough to earn them a 2-1 victory at Easington Sports.
Brady Middleton and Alex Lock were on target to give AFC a two goal advantage, and though Tom Smith pulled a goal back for Easington on the hour, Hinckley’s lead wasn’t threatened in the closing stages as they saw the game through.
The management introduced new signing Harrison Myring for his debut and he made an encouraging start, giving the attack a new dimension and he played a crucial role in creating Lock’s goal.
The game had a quiet start, plenty of honest endeavour on both sides but clearcut opportunities were scarce. Zach Tellyn whipped in a couple of dangerous corners that were scrambled to safety and at the other end, Chandler Pegg, restored to a centre back role, produced a telling tackle as Max Leonard bore down on goal.
The game came to life when Hinckley took the lead ten minutes before half time. Tellyn found Charlie Williams whose tenacity drove him down the right flank to deliver a low cross that Middleton finished emphatically into the roof of the net.
Easington almost levelled within a couple of minutes, Divin Emmanuel producing a fine save to deny Smith at point blank range and the keeper also saved from Sam Lawrence at his near post as Sports sought to get back on terms before the break.
Hinckley extended their lead soon after the interval, Myring produced a stunning turn of pace that left his defender standing as he surged down the left before pulling a ball back for Lock to drill home.
If Hinckley thought they could coast their way to victory, they were soon given a rude awakening as Sports pulled one back, skipper Smith’s run took him through the inside left channel before applying a tidy finish inside the far post.
Easington couldn’t fashion a way back into the game though as Hinckley’s defence stood firm when they had to and it was the visitors who created the better chances in the closing stages. Middleton’s speculative effort was held at full stretch by Joe White before the striker blazed over the bar after Drew Kear’s cross crept through to him, but it mattered not as AFC had done enough to claim the points.
Easington: Joe White, Jordan Godfrey (Ruben Wade 69), Endri Stathi (Ben Harris 88), Tom Smith, Luke Fuller, Tommy Kinch, Sam Lawrence, Charlie Morgan, Max Leonard (Daniel Shaw 75), Charlie Pye, Piotr Fornals (Braydon McCartney 77). Sub not used: Elliott May.
Goal: Tom Smith (58)
Hinckley: Divin Emmanuel, Drew Kear, Gave Webster, Charlie Williams, Chandler Pegg, Jacob Shilton, Zach Tellyn (Afonso Mvula 84), Zakin Evans, Brady Middleton, Alex Lock (James Spruce 68), Harrison Myring (Devonn O’Sullivan 59). Subs not used: Jake Tullin, Caleb Yeboah.
Goals: Brady Middleton (37), Alex Lock (48)
Attendance: 96
