HINCKLEY UNITED 2 ALFRETON TOWN 1

Attendance:

By ANDY GIBBS at THE GREENE KING STADIUM

HINCKLEY United continued their impressive home form as they made it nine games unbeaten at the Greene King Stadium with an excellent win over a side that began the game in third position.

It would have been a travesty had Alfreton taken anything from the game, but when Anthony Howell equalised Richard Lavery’s goal ten minutes from time, it looked as though Hinckley would pay for their missed chances, but the talismanic Adam Webster struck late on to secure three well deserved points.

It wasn’t the easiest of games to come into after their FA Cup exit, Nicky Law’s sides are always tough to play against, and they came into the game unbeaten in five, but Hinckley matched them physically, played some enterprising football and had they taken a small percentage of their chances, the win would have been a good deal more emphatic.

Dean Thomas made just one change, Mark Dudley came in for Stuart Giddings at left back and the on loan Derby youngster produced a very accomplished debut performance amongst a youthful backline that looked assured throughout, save an early blemish within 30 seconds when Paul Lister’s underhit back pass meant Chris MacKenzie had to come racing out of his area to tackle Damien Reeves and earn himself a booking.

That was just about the only time MacKenzie was involved during the opening 45 minutes as The Knitters did all the attacking and took the lead after 18 minutes when Richard LAVERY drove home from 15 yards after Webster’s cross from the right evaded a couple of defenders.

Chukki Eribenne, whose hold-up play improved as the game progressed, could have doubled their lead when a ball broke to him in the area, but with only Paddy Gamble to beat, he snatched at his shot and dragged his effort wide. Eribenne then set up Webster who’s shot on the turn was smartly saved at his near post by Gamble who then looked on when long range efforts from Andy Hall and Webster whistled over his bar as half-time approached.

There was little change to the pattern of play after the break and Town survived a frantic situation when Gamble picked up a back pass in his own six yard box but Eribenne’s free kick was blocked by a posse of players on the goal-line. United has one scare when the visitors almost snatched a goal on a rare foray, Damien Reeves’ shot squirmed through MacKenzie before striking a post and rebounding back into the keeper’s grateful arms.

However, most of the play continued as the other end, but Hinckley continued to pass up opportunities to seal the game – Eribenne’s great flick sent Webster in but his well struck shot was beaten away by Gamble who then saved a header from Webster at the second attempt.

United’s inability to convert those chances meant that despite not really offering an attacking threat, the visitors were still in the game and they punished United with ten minutes remaining. A long ball through the middle of their defence was missed by Neil Cartwright and Anthony HOWELL took full advantage of his rare slip to bury his chance.

That goal could have knocked the stuffing out of United, but these players are a spirited bunch and they were back in front within a couple of minutes, WEBSTER showed great strength to hold off his man in the box before unleashing an unstoppable shot beyond Gamble.

Hinckley weren’t going to relinquish their lead for a second time, though there were a couple of anxious moments during over six minutes of added time, notably when MacKenzie clawed away an Ian Ross free kick to secure the points that a fine all-round team performance deserved.

HINCKLEY UNITED: MacKenzie, Taylor, Giddings, Lavery, Lister, Franklin, Hall, Gooding, Webster, Eribenne , Cartwright. Subs not used:  Roberts, Hamilton, Dillon, Mace, Storer