Hinckley AFC’s unbeaten October came to a crushing and very sodden end as they were well beaten by AFC Mansfield.
On a truly miserable day weather wise, Hinckley’s display reflected the conditions and they did little to brighten the spirits of the hardy fans who made the journey north.
They conceded early in each half twice, with matters made worse by Najeem Oriola’s red card such that Gabe Webster’s excellent late strike was of little consolation.
Chris Tullin named the same side that had the better of last week’s encounter with Hucknall but what transpired was far removed from that performance. Hinckley had the ball in the net early on ruled out for offside, but from then on they were comfortably second-best.
AFC Mansfield battled the driving rain well, they moved the ball impressively and were clinical in front of goal, though Hinckley will reflect that they could have done much more on keeping the ball out of the net.
It took just eight minutes for the opening goal, a simple one for the hosts as a free kick was swung in from the right and the towering Charlie Taylor met it first to turn home.
And no sooner was it one than it became two, Ryan Ingram controlled the bouncing ball well on the edge of the box and skipped past his man before firing home a crisp finish.
Jake Tullin’s smart block denied Kaylum Mitchell and then the crossbar saved Hinckley from a corner as Mansfield turned the screw but they made it through to half time at 2-0, and Chris Tullin made a triple sub at the break in an attempt to turn the tide.
But that tide continued in much the same direction with the incessant driving rain, Mansfield on top and two more goals early in the half which ensured there was no doubt about the result.
Again, Hinckley will feel they could have done more to stop the third though they were down to 10 with Jake Tullin receiving treatment – a corner was half cleared and the recycled cross fell to Ethan Blackbourn, who was left unmarked at the far post to fire home.
And once again the hosts quickly added another, Kian Sketchley with the finish this time from the right channel.
And it soon went from bad to worse for Hinckley when half time sub Najeem Oriola caught Rhys Dolan late, a yellow card would have drawn little surprise but to everyone’s shock the referee pulled out the red and the remaining 35 minutes were made even tougher.
Divin Emmanuel made a smart save from Mitchell’s angled drive before the Mansfield number nine did get on the scoresheet, a swivelled finish after a corner was knocked down to him.
Mansfield were fortunate not to go down to 10 themselves when Will Heather only saw yellow for lashing out at Charlie Williams on the floor, but the two red card incidents would have made no difference to the outcome and the hosts added a sixth through Jacob Dainty late on.
There was, at least, something for Hinckley fans to cheer late on, a well-worked goal when Webster fired in off the bar after Luke Jones’ excellent work down the right.
But that was far too little, far to late to lift spirits on a grim afternoon.
Mansfield: Josh Turton, Ethan Blackbourn, Rhys Dolan (Eden Griffin 76), Liam Mays (Jake Batty 64), Charlie Taylor (Will Heather 64), Kacper Rajter, Zack Reynolds (Jacob Dainty 64), Luke Morgan (Jordan Ingram 76), Kaylum Mitchell, Kian Sketchley, Ryan Ingram.
Goals: Charlie Taylor (8), Ryan Ingram (12), Ethan Blackbourn (49), Kian Sketchley (51), Kaylum Mitchell (70), Jacob Dainty (84)
Hinckley: Divin Emmanuel, Drew Kear (Najeem Oriola 46), Danny Fraser (Shaun Watkins 46), Jake Tullin (Max Jemson 76), Ky Green, Charlie Williams, George Dimmock (Afonso Mvula 46), Gabe Webster, Chandler Pegg (Max Kirby 76), Zach Tellyn, Luke Jones.
Goal: Gabe Webster (88)
Attendance: 85
