A landlords v tenants local derby is how Hinckley AFC will finish their 2016 as they face Heather St John’s tomorrow afternoon, kick off 3pm.
In a year that has seen Hinckley play more than 50 games, the final of those is against their landlords in a second consecutive Leicestershire derby for Carl Abbott’s side.
Fresh off the back of Boxing Day’s 2-0 win that knocked Leicester Road off the top of the table, Hinckley now face a Heather side who occupy eighth spot – and have won more than half of their games this term.
Heather also recorded an impressive win on Boxing Day, making the short journey home from Nuneaton Griff with all three points after a Ryan Nesbitt double gave them a
2-0 win at The Pingles.
But it has been Joel Ambalu who has been their biggest goal threat this season – the former Alvechurch man netting 14 times in 19 games.
For Hinckley, seven wins in eight in the league have lifted them to just four points off the top of the league, and while they sit fourth at the moment, they are just one point behind Atherstone Town with three games in hand, and two behind Leicester Road with one game in hand.
It is the fourth of eight straight games at St John’s Park for Hinckley, ahead of a quick return in a home game against Heath Hayes on Monday before the Buildbase FA Vase fourth round tie against Berkhamsted a week tomorrow.
The last meeting between the sides came on Easter Monday, when AFC came from behind to take a 3-1 lead and held on despite Nesbitt’s late goal. Abbott’s side have won the last three meetings against their landlords and will want to make that four to end the calendar year on a high.
