Abbo Praises Team Togetherness
Hinckley AFC manager Carl Abbott praised his side’s team effort as they recorded a 3-1 victory over third placed Cadbury Athletic yesterday.
Hinckley were 2-0 up at half time, the same as Tuesday night’s defeat to Bolehall, and Abbott said that there was no chance of a second half repeat performance.
‘It was a great result today. The boys have dug in and we’ve got our just rewards today.
‘We went in at half time in the same position that we were in on Tuesday (2-0 to the good), and that day we were pegged back and probably weren’t mentally strong enough. Today there was no way that was going to happen. The boys have stood up together, shoulder to shoulder, and we’ve been great defensively.
‘We’ve finally given ourselves an opportunity in the game to make some changes, take what we’ve got and see the game out. It was a good result today.’
Striker Mark Bellingham departed the club during the week for league rivals Southam United, but Abbott wishes him well and says that Matt Gardner and Luke Richards took their opportunity well yesterday.
‘Regrettably, we’ve agreed that Mark can move on from the club. I wouldn’t have been able to guarantee that he would play game in, game out. With his age and where he is in his career, he just wants to play, and regrettably he’s moved onto Southam and we wish him well.
‘Matt Gardner was superb and Luke Richards really came to the show. That’s the real Luke Richards, as the people at this club well know. Hopefully we’ll see that game in game out from now on as he was inspirational today.’
Abbott also reserved praise for his defence. After the injury to Bekir Halil, he and Dominic Smith were missing from Hinckley’s regular back four. Jordan Rushton and Mitchell Tomlinson came into the side, and impressed the manager.
‘The oldest player in our back four today was twenty, I think that deserves a mention. Avun Jephcott is beginning to show what he’s all about, and Simon Johnson came in and showed his pedigree. I could talk all day about the lads today, and I’m really pleased.’
‘Mitch has done great. He’s only just turned seventeen, coming out of youth football, and I think that’s his coming of age.
He picked up an early booking, and I won’t say it didn’t cross my mind that it could have been a difficult stage for him. The winger was getting at him, but did well and his assist for the third goal was superb.’
