Tomlinson Praises Professional Performance
Hinckley AFC assistant manager Paul Tomlinson said today’s 2-0 win over Coventry Copsewood was a ‘solid and professional performance’.
Goals late in each half from Nathan Walker and Marco Adaggio earned Hinckley the three points, and Tomlinson was delighted with what he described as a ‘great result’ against a ‘good side’. He said: ‘It was a great result, because they’re a good side. In fact, I think they’re the best side we’ve faced twice this year, and they’ve given us a real tough game today.
‘I still think we’ve been comfortable in the second half and they’ve not done anything with it really. The wind has played a part in the game, and all they’ve done is go long and it’s gone through to Sam (Arnold). That helped to kill the game off.
‘For me, they’ve not really hurt us or threatened us. They’ll go on about a handball in the second half that I didn’t see, but for me it was a really solid, professional performance. I thought we deserved the three points but they’re a good side, don’t underestimate that.’
The match extended AFC’s unbeaten run to an impressive twenty matches, and Tomlinson says that the players felt no additional pressure from the importance of the game.
‘No, not at all. We just reminded them that we’re on a nineteen game unbeaten run, and let’s keep it going.
‘That was the emphasis to it, but no real pressure on them at all. We know eventually that the run has to come to an end, but we’re going to give it a good go to get to the end of the season unbeaten – that’s what we want to aim for.’
After Highgate United lost at home to Cadbury Athletic, today’s win puts Hinckley top of the Midland League First Division, but Tomlinson says he, Carl Abbott and the team are not getting carried away.
‘We’re probably in a little but of a false position considering the games we’ve played, and the games in hand that teams have around us, but we’ve got points on the board.
‘Again, what’s happening now is that teams around us are dropping points. Highgate again today have dropped three points, Bolehall have dropped three points and teams are starting to feel that little bit of a pressure.
‘I think we’re in a great position in terms of, yes we’ve played more games, but we’ve got the points on the board and that’s important.’
Finally, Tomlinson had a thank you for the 231 supporters that attended the game, the second highest crowd at St John’s Park this season.
‘The supporters are fantastic. For the players to play in front of those guys gives the an extra 5-10% lift in the game, they’re fantastic.
‘From everybody’s point of view we want to say thank you to the supporters, because their support is great and long may it continue.’
