Hinckley at Coundon for the first time in a number of years was a must win game for an Affinity team missing a number of regulars. The conditions had improved from a wet early morning with the game staring in bright sunshine. A fairly strong wind was blowing in Hinckley's favour but it was Affinity who made the brightest start with some slick interplay on both the right and left with James and Chris causing problems, with Gurps and Will trying to get on the end of the through balls. Ian met a corner during this period of play with plenty of power but his header was 2 feet over the bar.
The strong wind became a factor as Hinckley gained more possession and tested the Affinity defence who were struggling for shape especially from their own goal kicks which more often than not came straight back at them. Aron was called into action with a fine save to his right pushing the ball round for a corner.
Hinckley took the lead following some indecision between Ian and Steve with the opposition striker nipping in and flicking the ball over Aron has he tried to close the gap. Affinity were working hard to gain possession but passes seemed to be underhit with Hinckley players first to many balls and consistently getting the better of the breaks.
Just before half time Aron kept the score at 1-0 with a great save to his left pushing a goal bound shot round the post. Half time gave Affinity time to regroup and they came out positively with the wind at their backs. More possession and a higher success percentage of passing put Affinity on top with Chris and Gurps causing Hinckley plenty of trouble down the left. The one thing missing was the final ball with judging the strength of the wind posing a challenge as it had to Hinckley in the first half.
The game turned 15 minutes into the 2nd half with Jamie twisting his knee as he made a challenge. It was clear straight away that it was serious and proved to be so with medial ligament damage resulting. With only 11 Affinity players available on the day it looked like they would play the majority of the 2nd half with 10 men. Hinckley offered one of their substitutes to keep parity of numbers and Affinity willingly accepted. In all honesty it may have been better refusing this offer in the hope that Ash would have come on for Hinckley at some point!
Ian pushed into midfield and he and Mike battled hard to make chances for an equaliser. Steve made the Hinckley keeper make saves from headers from a corner and a flicked on throw in. Mark also had an opportunity but was unable to make the keeper make a save. The game became more open with both sides trying to find a goal that would change or finish the game. Hinckley may consider themselves unfortunate not to have been awarded a penalty with Sean tangling with a striker as they raced towards the Affinity goal. Sean and Aron then combined to keep the score from increasing getting their bodies in the way of strikes on goal.
Further half chances would come Affinity's way with Gurps having a decent shout for a penalty turned down and Chris firing high and over from just outside the area having made some space for himself moving in field from the left hand side.
Affinity's hopes of getting anything from the game ended with Hinckley's second goal 8 minutes from the end with Aron unable to hold onto a cross from the Hinckley left. It was cruel for Affinity and Aron who had done much to keep Affinity in the game.
Man of the match goes to Aron for a series of fine saves. Special mention also to Ian and Sean for battling defensive displays and James whose control of the ball at set pieces was impressive
