Hinckley AFC return to Midland League action on Bank Holiday Monday for a first v second clash against Chelmsley Town.
After back-to-back wins with clean sheets last weekend before an FA Vase success this weekend, Hinckley will look to pick up where they left off in Division One as they welcome a Chelmsley side who have also started well.
It’s a match that sees the meeting of the early season’s best attack and its second-best defence.
The opposition
Chelmsley’s defeat against OJM Black Country on Saturday was just their second of the season as they went down 2-0 to last season’s play-off semi-finalists.
Before that, they beat Stapenhill, Heather St John’s and Smethwick Rangers without conceding a goal while they have also beaten Shawbury United this term.
As such, they sit second with 13 points from their seven games thus far and, in former Hinckley striker Chris Lloyd, have someone who has found the net with regularity in Division One over the years. Adam Woods in their leading scorer with three goals so far.
Previous meetings
Hinckley won both meetings last term, a 6-1 win at Kirkby Road in September before Chandler Pegg’s hat-trick helped the side to a 4-0 win at Pack Meadow on Easter Saturday.
And while Hinckley’s overall record against Chelmsley is good, both of Chelmsley’s wins against Hinckley have come away from home – 2-1 in the sides’ first ever meeting in 2017 and a come-from-behind 5-3 victory early in 2019.
From the dressing room
“It’s been a brilliant start for Chelmsley. Sol (manager Steve Solomon) does a brilliant job there every year. It’s well known that they haven’t got money to spend and it’s great for him to do the job he does, to make them always competitive every season. Now they’ve had a flying start.
“They’re always well-organised and make if difficult for you to try and break them down. They’re in good form, will be positive and won’t fear anyone so will fancy their chances to beat us. It’ll be a quick recovery for both of us after Saturday, and it’s a Bank Holiday afternoon so hopefully a good crowd will come down to watch an exciting top of the table clash!”
Joe Conneely
Key info
Adults: £6
Concessions: £4
Under 16s: £2 (FREE with HAFC Junior membership card)
