Hinckley Boyed by the gritty performance last week, faced a very well organised Lutterworth Town U18 at HLRFC Stadium on Sunday.

The pitch looking well prepared, the contrast clear from the previous week’s game and equally the weather conditions almost the opposite as well. Dry, glorious sunshine all afternoon meant the game was to be played in almost perfect conditions.

The majority of the first half saw both teams cancelling each other out. Hinckley started with Bee up front, the recent goal poacher, but despite a really positive contribution, finding the channels well, Hinckley couldn’t find that spark up top in the early exchanges. On 22 mins Hinckley had their first shot on goal with Nicholson © finding space 25 yards out, but it was easily held by the keeper. Not long later Lutterworth broke down their left, their clear outlet and the Lutterworth No.3 whipped a great ball into the box just evading their No.10 from connecting. A couple of minutes later on 33 played, Lutterworth enjoying their best moments in the whole game, managed to get their No.11 winger into space and he unleashed a testing shot just past the post.

Tails up Lutterworth failed to take advantage though and Hinckley now attacking down their right with Sparkes, put a good cross in for Nicholson © to get the first meaningful shot on target. Just a minute later Hinckley now on top had another chance, Sparkes again the provider, Nicholson © again the recipient, couldn’t quite control his shot which just went past the righthand post.

Halftime 0 – 0

Hinckley started the second half really well. Seconds from the whistle on the front foot, Dickens got the ball on the right in the box, but couldn’t release the ball in time for a real opportunity. On 47 minutes Hinckley, now pressing all across the pitch, had fullback Craig win the ball, driving forward played a superb cross into the box for Mayes to put his header just over the crossbar. A rapid start and this was the theme for the rest of the game. Hinckley the more adventurous and controlling in midfield with Sparkes winning a lot of second balls, it felt like the the game was being played in one half.

On 54 minutes Dickens finding himself in space central to goal unleashed a shot from 20 yards out, it took a deflection off a Lutterworth defender and the now dipping shot superbly tipped over the bar by the retreating Lutterworth keeper. A real moment of all round quality. Lutterworth then had the odd venture forward, but Hinckley were always in control.

Yet, it looked like Hinckley’s grip on the game might take a wobble as Dickens went in for a tackle and won the ball, but the Referee deemed it reckless enough. Yellow card. Just 45 seconds later Craig got a caution for holding, this time without argument and suddenly Hinckley seemed ill-disciplined and fractious. Not so, just a couple of minutes later Nicholson © was fouled in the box , cries of “Penalty” and Hinckley had their moment to take advantage. Fullback Vincent, ice cool and focused, stepped up to take the penalty and with real quality placed it completely out of reach in the top corner, a fantastic finish. 1-0 Hinckley.

Lutterworth, feeling aggrieved at the decision, briefly showed more aggression in their tackles and started to get into Hinckley’s half more. Hinckley though with the returning Rollins at the back next to Ward stood firm and all 4 at the back soaked up whatever came their way, which in truth Lutterworth lacked quality in the final 3rd. Bennett in goal wasn’t put under any meaningful threat all game and the reality is Hinckley continued to control the play all across the pitch. Still pressing forward Hinckley forced Lutterworth’s No.5, to clear an effort just off the line and as the full time whistle approached Hinckley were still looking like the only side to score. The impressive Sparkes having his best game of the season so far, controlling play from the middle with excellent distribution. On 90 minutes Schulz got booked for kicking the ball away and in then into injury time Lutterworth won a couple of free-kicks. In reality they were too far out, nothing came of them as Hinckley’s defense held firm.

The referee blew for fulltime and Hinckley gained another valuable, hard earned 3 points. As the game went on it was the more creative, threatening team who deserved the win, but Lutterworth well organised at the back, made things difficult all afternoon for their opponents. Hinckley have a week off, then next up is Stoneygate U18 back at Leicester Road.