HINCKLEY UNITED 2 GAINSBOROUGH TRINITY 0

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By ANDY GIBBS at THE GREENE KING STADIUM

HINCKLEY United warmed up for Saturday’s FA Cup clash at Rushden with a hard fought but deserved win that made it four points from their weekend double-header at the Greene King Stadium.

The Knitters had to show a good deal of patience to break down a resilient Trinity defence, the goals coming in the final 20 minutes, but the visitors had little to offer as an attacking force and once Hinckley got themselves in front, the result was never in doubt.

Dean Thomas named an unchanged team from the side that drew with Stalybridge on Saturday and they immediately took the game to their visitors. Adam Webster twice came close in the opening five minutes, firstly when a fine run on the left flank from Alex Taylor took him from inside his own half to the bye-line where he delivered a deep cross that the striker headed over before a moment later, wonderful skill from Webster saw him kill a long clearance from Chris MacKenzie on his instep but with only Phil Barnes to beat, the keeper came off his line to block.

Trinity briefly threatened when Luke Beckett got in between two defenders in the area but stabbed his shot wide before setting up Mark Hudson for a volley that sailed over the bar, but in the main, it was United on the offensive, though the closest they came was when Gainsborough defender Alan O’Hare turned a Matt West cross onto his own post and into the arms of a relieved keeper Barnes.

After the game became fragmented and scrappy for a spell, Hinckley began to get on top again as the half ended, Webster shot straight at Barnes after good work on the right by the two Andy’s, Gooding and Hall and within a minute of the re-start, Webster missed a gilt-edged chance as Neil Cartwright swung in a precise cross from the right that picked out the unmarked Webster with the goal at his mercy but he completely missed his header and the chance went begging.

Still Hinckley enjoyed long spells of possession, but Brian Little has got his Trinity side very well organised at the back and United’s final ball into the danger zone lacked the necessary quality on too many occasions, but just as it looked as though the home faithful might have to endure another goalless stalemate, the deadlock was broken with 20 minutes remaining.

Chukki Eribenne held the ball up well and waited for support on the right which came from the over-lapping Cartwiright, he delivered a cross that found Richard LAVERY who marked another outstanding game by forcing home his fourth goal of the season from the edge of the six yard box.

That settled Hinckley nerves and they sealed the points ten minutes later. Once again, Eribenne, who’s first goal for the club remains elusive, was a key component in the build-up as his delightful backheel released Webster and his right wing cross was converted by Alex TAYLOR.

The points were Hinckley’s, though Trinity almost grabbed a consolation in time added on when they struck the bar, but it’s now just one defeat in their last 12 for United and although they stay in 9^th place, they’ve opened up a five point gap on the teams below them.

HINCKLEY UNITED: MacKenzie, Taylor, Giddings, Lavery, Lister, Franklin, Hall (Hamilton, 83), Gooding (Dillon, 85), Webster, West (Eribenne , 64), Cartwright. Subs not used: Roberts, Storer.