Hinckley travelled over to Braunstone Town, Leicester to take on GNG Juniors U18 for this top v bottom clash in Division Two. Hinckley in positive mood having secured an excellent 3 points last week, set up with the same attacking formation which proved so effective against Kirby Mulxoe. The notable challenge for this game was the state of the pitch though. Easily the worst surface Hinckley will play on all season, add to this the unpleasant weather conditions and the game would eventually play out far removed from the respective league positions.

Hinckley kicking with a strong wind behind their backs went 433 and immediately looked threatening with options high up across the pitch. Whilst dominating play in the opening 20 minutes, they struggled to find the quality to really test the keeper. Corner after corner didn’t make the breakthrough and with Hinckley still dominating, GNG started to find space on the counter-attack. With just 30 minutes on the clock Hinckley went into double figures for corners really showing how one sided play was, almost all in GNG's half. The game got a little more stretched though and recognising the initial control of the game was ebbing, Hinckley changed to a 4141 formation to try and handle the improving attacking play from GNG. Almost as quick as the change was made, GNG now increasingly finding gaps across Hinckley’s back 4, broke away on 42 minutes and the attacking GNG player found space on the left-hand side of the penalty area, under a challenge placed the ball to the left of Bennett to take the lead. All Hinckley’s domination of the game was gone in a flash and a somewhat frustrated and deflated Hinckley went into halftime facing a battle to get something form this game.

Halftime 1-0

The strong wind now in their faces Hinckley opted to change formation again to 4231 to try and nullify GNG’s effective counter attack play. The Division’s draw specialists, GNG, started with just 1 up front and seemed set up to soak up whatever Hinckley could offer. The first 10 minutes neither side really took control of the game, with GNG attacking on the counter attack still, but Hinckley struggling to gain any foothold in open play. Then on 55 minutes a bit of controversy happened when GNG played a decent through ball to their Right winger, but the lineman flagged offside as play continued. The GNG player now ahead of the defender finished with a 20 yard shot beating Bennett nicely, but somehow, bizarrely the referee 40 yards behind play, overruled the linesman and gave the goal. GNG now 2 – 0, Hinckley angry at the decision, faced a mountain to climb.

Hinckley fired up, 2 minutes later, got back into the game. Whilst attacking they lost the ball with several players still high up the pitch, but with the increasingly influential Sparkes on the left, moving inside managed to get the ball back into the penalty area for the now goal poacher right back Bee to finish really well from 10 yards out. 2-1 GNG. Game on!

The passion in the game upped a few notches. The tenacious Mayes seemingly taking things into his own hands against GNG’s midfield with some crunching tackles and his impressive breakdown play really helped get the ball back across the pitch with more space to be found. Hinckley sensing they were back in the game, but just needed to have more options higher up, changed to their 3rd formation of the day, 352 with Bee joining Wilkinson as a Striker. This further enhanced the pressure on GNG and on 82 minutes, Vincent found Sparkes on the left. Sparkes twisting and turning got inside the penalty box on the left and his pass finding Szulz 10 yards out to absolutely smash the ball past the keeper. 2-2 and game on. Szulz, not always a starter, having one of his best games for the team on the right wing, finishing with aplomb and Hinckley’s tails were now up.

As the game entered its last minutes, GNG still a threat on the counter attack, the wind even stronger behind them, forced Hinckley’s back 3 to really dig deep nullifying their threat. A couple of half chances for Hinckley followed, including a keeper save at his near post and then on 86 minutes Hinckley had yet another corner. In it came and GNG didn’t clear at all well, in fact played the ball straight back out to Nicholson © near the corner flag to put in a strong low cross. The keeper flapped, didn’t control things and the ball fell to none other than the finisher, the new goal poacher himself, Bee, to smash home from 8 yards out. 2-3 Hinckley and the whole team celebrated together. What a turnaround. Could Bee now find himself moving up front? Time will tell, but with 3 goals in less than 45 minutes game time across 2 games playing as a striker certainly makes for a strong case. Knowing that GNG would have to take the game to Hinckley, what must be a team record for a single fixture, Hinckley switched to their 4th formation of the day with only minutes left, changing it to 532. With understandably a few nerves around they managed to see the game out for a valuable 3 points.

Probably the best team performance of the season in terms of endeavor and spirit. Away from home, 2-0 down against bottom of the table, but a team who have proven difficult to beat, it really was the best collective effort and sets the tone for the remainder of this season. Hinckley are now 8 points clear at the top of the table, but with other teams having games in hand, the table not fully aligned to how it might finish, today could prove to be the most decisive result of the season.

**Update Wilkinson is now out injured (Foot), Rollins (Fractured Elbow) and Rowley (Broken Collar bone) will really test this squad for the remainder of the season**