Hinckley AFC ended a productive October in disappointment as a run of seven successive victories came shuddering to an end with defeat to Shawbury United.
They could have no complaints, they were lacklustre throughout and showed little of the creativity and attacking prowess that characterised their form during that impressive sequence as Shawbury were good value for their win.
On a filthy night with the rain pouring down, the game got off to a lively start. Paul Hathaway, making his home debut with Brandon Bache nursing an injury, was soon called upon, saving Evan Bagry’s long range shot before Shawbury took a seventh minute lead. It was a wonderful strike from Cian Fenlon who took a good first touch to a cross from the right before hooking the ball over his shoulder and into the top corner.
AFC’s response was swift as they soon levelled with an opportunist strike from Lewis Collins. He got between two defenders as he ran onto a long clearance and as keeper Vitor Pinheiro raced out of his box, the ball sat up nicely for Collins who timed his lob from 30 yards to perfection.
But the game never lived up to that promising opening. Shawbury looked the sharper team and Bagry had a couple of efforts before Hinckley were given a golden chance to take the lead just before the break. Chandler Pegg was fouled by Kev Buxton, he got up to take the penalty himself but Pinheiro made a fine save, diving to his left.
Home fans were looking for a half time response similar to Saturday but it never came. Shawbury began the second half well and Hinckley were grateful to Hathaway who kept them in it with a superb double save from Elliot Lee and Fenlon, the follow-up save in particular was stunning.
The impressive Fenlon then saw his long range effort saved by Hathaway, AFC’s only response was a shot from Fortune Sibanda that stung the fingers of Pinheiro.
The decisive moment came twelve minutes from time, when Luke Wilson handled in the area and Buxton drilled a superb penalty into the top corner to give the visitors the points their performance deserved.
Hinckley: Paul Hathaway, Matt Dawson, Fortune Sibanda (Chris Camwell 60), Ben Whitehead (Ben Birch 44), Luke Wilson (Reece Jacobs 80), Adam Barber, Ben Newport (Lewis Rankin 70), Joe Cairns (Harry Walker-Donovan 53), Chandler Pegg, Lewis Collins, Jack Edwards.
Goal: Lewis Collins (13)
Shawbury: Vitor Pinheiro, James Bennett-Tindall, Josh Garrington, Jeffrey Agyeman, Seth Ellis, Tyrell McFarlane, Liam Jones (Danar Saber 60), Kev Buxton, Elliot Lee (Lee Rogers 70), Evan Bagry, Cian Fenlon. Subs not used: Pat Udoh, Joe Thomas.
Goals: Cian Fenlon (7), Kev Buxton (78)
Attendance: 138
