Abbo Reflects on ‘Crazy Afternoon’
Hinckley AFC manager Carl Abbott said that his side’s 1-0 defeat to Studley was a ‘crazy’ afternoon.
Three red cards were shown in the first half that saw the game’s only goal scored by Studley’s former Hinckley striker Matt Bailey.
And Abbott said felt that his team were the better side throughout. ‘It’s a crazy afternoon really. We started the game on the front foot, we looked good, and we looked like we would dominate the game, hitting the crossbar early on.
‘Unfortunately, the three red cards ruined the game as a spectacle, and Studley capitalised, scoring a goal when we were in disarray after the red cards, but apart from that they didn’t really lay a glove on us. We were so dominant in possession, they didn’t really try to lay a glove on us.
‘I was surprised at how Studley played in the second half. They sat off us, and it was a non-spectacle really. But our efforts, endeavour and work rate to a man was recognised by the supporters at the end, who I can’t thank enough.
‘The people here know what we’ve got. We’re building an exceptional side, and I’ve just said to the boys that we’re in a unique situation. ‘We’re assembling a very good side that play good football, but two and two isn’t making four at the moment.
‘But I’ve got great people around me, I’ve got great support from the club, the players and the supporters.’
However, arguably Hinckley’s biggest concern will be surrounding the fitness of Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell. The winger was stretchered off during the second half with a knee injury.
‘It doesn’t look good. He heard a crack or a pop, and he went down in a lot of pain. He can’t get any movement in either direction, so we’re fearing the worst on that one.
‘We’ll send him to hospital straight away, but I think we’ll be very lucky to see him on the pitch in the near future.’
Hinckley will now take a break from league action when they entertain Houghton Rangers in the Jelson Homes Senior Cup on Tuesday evening at St John’s Park, kick off 7-45pm.
‘That’s (a midweek game) what we need, and it’s what we’ve needed all season. We’ve not had many Tuesday games, even when other teams in the league have.
‘We just want to get back out there, and we’ll have that opportunity on Tuesday. We’ve now got three games in a week, and it means that we can dust down from today and move on quickly.’
