HINCKLEY UNITED 2 AFC TELFORD UNITED 0

Attendance: 815

By ANDY GIBBS at THE GREENE KING STADIUM

HINCKLEY United ended the year with another impressive victory that sees them open up a three point gap on Eastwood who lie one place below them in fourth. The game was far from a classic, but the conditions were hardly conducive, it was a bitterly cold afternoon and full credit is due to Hinckley’s groundstaff who worked long and hard during the morning to ensure the pitch was playable.

There wasn’t a great deal to choose between the sides, but Hinckley’s greater determination and their ability at set-pieces gave them the edge to leave the visitors empty-handed.

It was Telford who created the better chances of the first half. Andre Grey, on loan from Shrewsbury was a livewire up front, but he missed a great chance early on when he fired over from close range, and as half-time approached, the same player struck the underside of the bar with Chris MacKenzie beaten.

Hinckley, despite enjoying good spells of possession in the first half, failed to work Ryan Young in the Telford goal, their best chances were a couple of well struck long range efforts from Neil Cartwright and Dan Dillon that were deflected narrowly wide.

Telford again came close early in the second half, MacKenzie got a strong hand to turn aside Jon Adam’s well struck shot from close range before the home side got in front just before the hour mark. Neil Cartwright delivered a sweetly struck free kick from the right flank, it was headed back across goal by Lee Collins and Matt West stole in front of his man to prod the ball home from inside the six yard box.

Telford boss Rob Smith made a couple of changes and pushed an extra man up front and as the visitors fought to salvage something from the game, it became a bit feisty as the cold weather failed to cool tempers amid some flying tackles and referee Ed Smart dished out a series of yellow cards in an attempt to keep control.

One of those rash challenges brought Hinckley their second goal four minutes from time. Lee Vaughan’s late challenge on Alex Taylor earned the Telford defender a yellow card and the punishment was increased when Andy Hall swung in the free kick and defender Collins rose highest to head home to secure the points for the home side.

HINCKLEY UNITED: MacKenzie, Cartwright, Franklin, Dillon, Lister, Collins, Hall, Gooding, Smith, West (Hutchinson), Taylor. Subs not used: Mace, Hamilton, Newton, Young.