A flurry of late goals at Kirkby Road saw Hinckley AFC to a heavy defeat against higher-level Shepshed Dynamo.
The game was finely poised at 1-0 midway through the second half but once Shepshed scored their second, they were rampant in the final 22 minutes to walk away with a comprehensive win.
Hinckley made plenty of changes from the side that started Saturday’s Simon Blyth Memorial Trophy win at Heather, and the first half was a well-contested affair.
It took until 42 minutes for the first goal, when a long throw wasn’t dealt with and Jiah Medrano fired home a half-volley.
Hinckley came within inches of an equaliser before the hour, when Zach Tellyn had one cleared off the line, but Shepshed grew in control in the 68th minute when John McHugh picked up the ball inside his own half and his driving run to the edge of the area ended with a shot neatly bent in off the post.
Perhaps the effects of a second intense game in the space of three hot days took its toll on Hinckley late on, but they were picked apart after that as Shepshed added more.
Two own goals, both caused by Medrano deliveries into the box, made it four, before the same player caused havoc with another corner that was forced home by McHugh.
And a fifth goal in 15 minutes finished it off as Dan Organ fired in the rebound after Medrano’s effort was blocked.
Hinckley have one final friendly on Saturday as they make the short trip to Atherstone Town, and then it’s all eyes on Newark Town on 25th July for the opening game of the new United Counties Premier North season.
