Tomlinson: It Was Really Pleasing

Hinckley AFC coach Paul Tomlinson was delighted with the way Hinckley adapted in the second half to beat Uttoxeter Town 3-0.

After Avun Jephcott’s sending off in first half stoppage time, AFC had to play the whole of the second half with ten men, but Tomlinson said the team controlled the game in the right way after break.

‘It was really pleasing. It’s always difficult when you go down to ten men, but I think the lads took on board all the information we gave them at half time regarding how we think we should control the game.

‘They had a lot of possession, but in areas that were never going to hurt us. I think the lads deserve a lot of credit for the professional manner that they defended in the second half.’

The match also saw Hinckley keep another clean sheet to continue their recent impressive defensive record. That is something that Tomlinson believes is a key difference to the start of the season.

‘That’s where the foundations are starting to be built for next seasons as well as for the end of this season. You’ve always got to work from the back, and we were conceding too many goals at the start of the season but now we’re giving ourselves a chance.

‘You always give yourself a chance when you keep a clean sheet and that’s what we deserved today.’