Four goals in 15 first-half minutes did the damage as Hinckley AFC’s new era started off with a 5-2 defeat at Belper United.
Chris Tullin’s rein started with as tough a half as he could have imagined as he gave his first half-time team talk at 5-1 down after a chastening period which saw Belper wrap up the points within 20 minutes of Dan Edmonds’ early equaliser.
And though AFC won the second half, Chandler Pegg marking his landmark 100th appearance with a goal, the damage had already been done.
Without captain Zaki Evans through injury and Zach Tellyn who was away, Hinckley struggled to get to grips with a Belper side who were aggressive and moved the ball crisply, but they’ll reflect that the goals came too easily as they were left with an impossible task by half time.
After a couple of early half-chances at either end, the deadlock was broken on the quarter-hour mark in spectacular fashion – Fraser Corden with a superb bending effort into the corner from outside the box.
But Hinckley were soon back on level terms, recycling a free-kick a couple of times as Drew Kear’s ball fell at the feet of Edmonds in space, who converted his first Hinckley goal.
The frantic period was only just beginning, but sadly for Hinckley it all came at the wrong end. They were on par for just two minutes before making a mess of clearing a corner as the loose ball fell for Jay Bruce to restore Belper’s lead.
And goals continued to flow at regular five-minute intervals, Belper were clinical – five goals from five chances as shellshocked Hinckley couldn’t put a stop to the onslaught. Suleiman Nassor got their third with a free header at the far post, Corden made it four with another excellent strike that mirrored his first, and then Jade Ferron added a fifth with a run from inside his own half, unchallenged before he slid home from the edge of the box.
Half time at least gave Hinckley time to take stock of the situation, and they were improved after the break but with far too much to do to make a game of it.
Pegg scuffed one after being found by Fin Barker early in the half, before Keaton August forced a smart stop from Ollie Bosworth at the other end – but chances were limited as Belper were happy to see the game out.
That was until midway through the half when Pegg got on the end of Ky Green’s free-kick and guided a serene header into the corner to mark his landmark game with his 56th Hinckley goal, and his fourth of a bright start to the season.
Had Green’s header moments later snuk under the bar instead of being tipped over at full stretch by Josh Shattell, or had Pegg connected with Jacob Shilton’s long throw eight yards out when unmarked, then it could have made for an interesting finish.
But Belper regrouped at the back to sniff out any hope of an unlikely comeback – and Lewis Warnaby made a smart recovering block to deny them a sixth.
And it leaves Tullin with plenty of food for thought ahead of next week’s League Cup tie away to Clipstone.
Belper United: Josh Shattell, Jade Ferron (Surf Tefera 65), Brandon Ferron, Zak Sandhu, Kyle Bryant, Ben Price, Brad Lathall (Harry Banks 74), Jay Bruce (Tyrell Francis 65), Suleiman Nassor (Alex Steadman 65), Fraser Corden (Louis Pennington 74), Keaton August.
Goals: Fraser Corden (15, 34), Jay Bruce (23), Suleiman Nassor (30), Jade Ferron (38)
Hinckley: Ollie Bosworth, Drew Kear, Danny Fraser, Lewis Warnaby, Jacob Shilton, Ky Green (Jordan Gray 87), Charlie Williams (Najeem Oriola 46), Luke Jones, Chandler Pegg, Fin Barker (Sonny Sheasby 53), Dan Edmonds (Jake Tullin 78). Sub not used: Isaac Rowe.
Goals: Dan Edmonds (20), Chandler Pegg (68)
Attendance: 238
