Tipton Town 2-1 Hinckley AFC
Hinckley AFC’s first ever cup run is over at the first hurdle after a 2-1 defeat at Midland League Premier Division opposition Tipton Town meant that they were knocked out of the FA Vase on Saturday.
Defensive errors meant that Hinckley went 2-0 down early on, and despite Mark Bellingham pulling a goal back shortly before half time, Hinckley rarely threatened after the interval, and it was Tipton who advanced to the next round, where they will play either Stourport Swifts or Bromsgrove Sporting.
Hinckley made three changes to the side that lost at Littleton last week. They were without captain JJ Melligan, who failed to recover from the knock that he picked up at Littleton, and Dominic Smith, while James Bennett-Tindall started on the bench.
Adrian Jones and Luke Richards returned to the starting line up, with Mitch Tomlinson coming in for his Hinckley debut.
It was a scrappy game throughout, with neither side at their best, but Tipton took an early lead on eight minutes. Hinckley’s defence failed to clear their lines, and after the ball was crossed back in, confusion between Bekir Halil and ‘keeper Sam Arnold left Jordan Harrison with a simple chance.
Tipton then doubled their lead on the half hour. An in swinging right wing corner from John Haynes appeared to go straight in after slipping through Arnold’s grasp.
Hinckley halved the deficit shortly before half time. Justin Nisbett and Luke Richards both had goalbound shots cleared, but it was third time lucky for Hinckley as Bellingham, in the right place at the right time, slammed home the loose ball from close range.
In a quiet second half, Hinckley were restricted to long range efforts in their attempt to force a replay, but they did come close late on. Richards’ powerful header was destined for the net before Ryan Hall’s magnificent save turned the ball over the bar at full stretch.
The hosts could have extended their lead when they broke away, but Arnold was relieved to see the ball bounce away off the post after he was beaten.
Tipton: Ryan Hall, Tom Rann, John Haynes, Mark Ganderton, Kennedy Digie, Jamie Moore, Josh Marsh (Ryan Kingdon 80), Luke Maxwell, Jordan Harrison, George Forsyth (Alex Sivitar 55), Sam Hesson (Kurtis Perry 70).
Goals: Jordan Harrison (8), John Haynes (29)
Hinckley: Sam Arnold, Mitch Tomlinson, Isaac Cooper, Nathan Walker, John Clapp, Bekir Halil, Adrian Jones (James Bennett-Tindall 59), Avun Jephcott (Ray Facey 46), Mark Bellingham (Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell 77), Justin Nisbett, Luke Richards. Subs not used: George Williams, Matt Martin.
Goal: Mark Bellingham (40)
Attendance: 146
