Match Preview: Atherstone Town (a)

Match Preview: Atherstone Town (a)

Hinckley AFC return to Midland League Division OneAtherstone Town action for the first time in three weeks when they make the short trip up the A5 to take on Atherstone Town this afternoon, kick off 3pm.

The last time Hinckley played in a league match, they gifted Heath Hayes a 4-3 victory at St John’s Park with some shambolic second half defending.

But after a confidence boosting 6-1 win over Continental Star in midweek, AFC now start to play catch up on the sides above them in the league: theyMidland Football League have still played the fewest league matches of any side this year.

As a result, they sit eighth in the division, having amassed 21 points from their ten games thus far. They have at least two games in hand on each of the sides above them, and have played as many as six games fewer than Nuneaton Griff.

In contrast, no side has played more league games this season than The Adders, who moved up to eleventh last week after holding second-placedHinckley AFC badge Nuneaton Griff to a 1-1 draw.

AFC will be without several players due to injury, suspension and unavailability. Marco Adaggio still has one match of his ban to serve, while Ryan Seal (work) and Lee Thomas (holiday) are also not in contention alongside the injured trio of Jean Kalenda, Darious Darkin and Kristian Ramsey-Dickson.

There are returns to the squad for Mitchell Tomlinson after an ankle injury, and JJ Melligan. Alex Penny is in line to make his debut after signing on loan from Stourbridge yesterday.

Hinckley won both meetings between the sides last season, winning 5-1 at St John’s Park in December after a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Sheepy Road in October, when it took Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell’s stunning goal to separate the sides.

Atherstone play at Sheepy Road, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 3AD. The ground is only a short distance from the A5.

Adults: £5

Concessions: £3

Under 16s: Free with accompanying adult