AFC FYLDE 1 HINCKLEY UNITED 1

FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round

By Andy Gibbs at Kellamergh Park

THIS FA Trophy tie proved to be a game of two halves, though not quite as one imagined given the weather conditions. The strong wind that blew goal to goal was a major factor throughout the game, though both sides played their best football whilst kicking into the wind. United went one up early on and could have scored more during the first half before a spirited fightback from the home side saw them grab an equaliser they deserved 13 minutes from time.

Ambitious Fylde, the number 2022 woven into their shirts is the date they have targeted to be a Football League side, are playing their first season in the FA Trophy having been promoted to the Unibond League this season and quickly found themselves behind. Inside the opening five minutes, Andy Hall ran at the home defence, and after he got to the bye-line and pulled back a cross, he was fouled by Phil Doughty who was booked and after a delay to treat the winger, Adam WEBSTER kept his composure to fire Hinckley in front.

It was just the start United needed to supress the home side who began the game with the fierce wind at their backs but they failed to make the conditions work in their favour and it was United who carried the greater attacking threat during the opening half.

Alex Taylor saw his shot smartly saved at his near post by Lewis Edge, Hall and Andy Gooding combined well on the right before Fylde cleared the danger and towards the end of the half, Taylor should have scored, Hall’s low cross picking him out in the area for him to pick his spot, but he fired wide before Connor Franklin, up for a corner, fired narrowly wide.

All appeared to be going to plan at the interval, United were leading with the elements in their favour after the break, but like their hosts, The Knitters failed to make the conditions count and they looked a little bit too complacent as the home side battled their way back into the game.

The warning signs were soon there, Lee Dodgson threatened to race clear into the area but Franklin read the play superbly to steer the ball away from him before Matt Walwyn’s header was going to creep in the top corner before Chris MacKenzie punched clear.

United threatened briefly when Gooding’s powerful run from inside his own half ended with a 25 yard shot that Edge saved at full stretch, but most of the play was contained in Hinckley’s half. The impressive Michael Barnes produced a pacy run from halfway that took him into the box before MacKenzie raced off his line to block and the seemingly inevitable equaliser came after 77 minutes. DODGSON, making his debut after signing on loan from Fleetwood, received the ball in space on the right hand edge of the area and placed a precise finish inside the far post.

HINCKLEY UNITED: MacKenzie, Taylor, Dudley, Lavery, Lister, Franklin, Hall, Gooding (Dillon 73), Webster, Eribenne (Eribenne 85) , Mace. Subs not used: Roberts, Hamilton, Collins.