Hinckley United Football Club

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    • FOUR GAMES, FOUR DEFEATS

    All hopes that United had turned the corner ended with four defeats inside the first two weeks of November.

    Blakenall again left Middlefield Lane with three points after United failed to take their chances. Then came the humiliation of a lifeless 6-0 defeat away to Redditch. A midweek game saw Hinckley slump 2-0 to Sutton in the League Cup. Evesham, a modest bottom of the table side, seemed to offer United the opportunity to revive their flagging fortunes, but is wasn't to be. Evesham dominated much of the game and could easily have been 4-0 to the good at half time. Hinckley were lucky to go down by just one goal when the final whistle blew. Once again the side in red and blue created little and its difficult to see where the next goal is coming from.

    United next face Gresley Rovers in the FA Trophy. Playing at their best Hinckley should have a chance. The Southern Premier high flyers struggled to beat Shepshed in the FA Cup and only just got past Stamford in an earlier round of the Trophy. It's a great opportunity for United to banish memories of a horrific start to November. But can we take it?

    [Report 14 November 1998]

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    HINCKLEY BATTLE THROUGH

    Rotten weather can often produce rotten games, but United's FA Trophy first round game against Congleton resulted in cracking cup tie.

    Inevitably the swirling winds and rain sodden ground played a part in all the goals scored. United played with the wind in their face during the first half and it was no surprise when a wind assisted corner curled inside United's far post in the first few minutes. But United held out taking just a one goal deficit in at half time.

    In the second half United fought back with great spirit. This time Hinckley had the advantage of wind assistance - an advantage that Ian Drewitt exploited after 47 minutes with a wonderful curling shot from over twenty yards. Nine minutes later the otherwise excellent Congleton keeper Mark Winstanley completely misjudged the bounce of the ball on the rain sodden ground, missed his kick and allowed John Symonds to stap the ball home from short range.

    Hinckley absorbed subsequent pressure well and towards the end looked the team most likely to score again. Dean Thomas, Morten Titterton and Ian Drewitt all had chances to put the game beyond Congleton, but United fans went home more than satisfied with a2-1 win against a side who have had a good FA cup run this year, taking Hednesford Town to a replay. Optimism is beginning to return to the Chicken Shed.

    [Report 24 October 1998]

    UNITED TURNING THE CORNER?

    A great second half strike from Les Hornby gave United the points in a keenly fought out clash with Sutton Coldfield. In a game billed a make or break for manager Dean Thomas, Hinckley pulled off an unlikely victory after absorbing wave after wave of Sutton pressure.

    For a brief moment it looked like it might be a dream return to Middlefield Lane for old Athletic favourite Craig Martin (Bluey), whose flying header went tantalisingly wide. But despite a typical hardworking perfomance from the stiker controversially sold to Sutton just weeks ago, Bluey could not get the ball between the posts.

    There were several good signs from this game. Man of the match Charlie Palmer did much to create Hornby's goal and put in a strong overall performance. Ian Drewitt's close control in midfield had Sutton players guessing for much of the game. But this was still a tight game which Hinckley might feel they were a little lucky to win.

    In the final moments it could have fallen apart with a alleged handball incident in the Hinckley box, but despite all the Sutton pressure, Hinckley's nerve held. Scoring may still be a problem but the defence looks much stronger than earlier in the season.

    [Report 10 October 1998]

    DAVENTRY CUP HOPES DASHED

    United's chances of lifting some silverware in their first season as a merged club have been dashed after a 2-1 defeat in the Daventry Charity Cup. Goals from Bedworth's John Halford and Guy Sanders gave Hinckley's local rivals a hard fought victory - but once again it was a story of missed chances for Hinckley.

    John Symonds twice hit the woodwork - once with a shot a later with a header. Bedworth keeper Wayne Starkey almost gifted Hinckley a goal after a poor pass back, but then went on to make two important saves. Hinckley keeper, Dale Belford, was also kept very busy, and the result could have been worse than 2-1 had Belford not been on form.

    Little over a year ago Bedworth were in crisis. Dean Thomas led an exodus of players to Hinckley and for a time it looked like Bedworth might struggle to survive this season. No wonder the Bedworth fans enjoyed their moment of victory!

    For Hinckley it marks the effective end of a roller coaster season. This disappointing display was a million miles away from United's historic defeat of Kettering in the FA Cup, or even United's semi-final triumph against Raunds.

    [Report 31 April 1998]

    UNITED REACH FIRST CUP FINAL

    United have reached their first cup final, as a new club, with a battling 3-2 victory over Raunds Town. For the first time in many week the players earned rapturous applause from the Middlefield faithful as they left the field. Now only Bedworth or Rothwell Town stand between the club and its first trophy.

    Not only was the result better, but the style of play was far more entertaining than of late. In truth United may have been a little fortunate. For the second time in two games an opposing keeper handled a passback, allowing a free kick from very close range. Although Craig Martin blasted the first effort at the assembled throng in the box, he made no mistake on the rebound, giving United the lead after just 60 seconds. Bluey then added a second before half time, before a high ball and a heavy challenge in the box, after the restart, caught out United keeper Dale Belford, to giving the visitors renewed hope.

    Once again, however, the Raunds goalkeeper came to United's rescue. After the keeper stumbling over what looked like an easy pass-back, a determined Chris Partridge successfully challenged for the ball and put it into the net. It was 3-1 with little over five minutes remaining - surely the game was over? Not quite. Raunds replied quickly with a headed goal from close range after hitting the woodwork, and a nail biting finish ensued. The Shopmates could have equalised in injury time as the ball flashed alarmingly across the Hinckley goal, but United scrambled the ball away for a hard fought success.

    There are still problems. Raunds frequently cut through United's frail defence too quickly for comfort. Two of United's three goals came mainly from goalkeeping errors, and despite leading from the first minute, Hinckley never quite looked like killing off Raunds. But this is not the time to quibble. This was a hard won, committed performance, with more sign of creative football than of late. The final - currently scheduled for next Tuesday - will be a big test of whether this improvement can be sustained.

    [Report 22 April 1998]

    PRESSURE BUILDS ON THOMAS

    It was never going to be easy taking over from popular Athletic boss John Hanna, but since Dean Thomas has been left in sole charge at Middlefield Lane, United seem to be struggling to find form. An improved performance against high flyers Solihull on Sunday went some way to alleviate the pain of a 3-1 beating at Redditch. But where, many ask, is the smooth, passing, attractive football of the Hanna era?

    Early signs at Redditch were better. The Reds, forced to field several reserves as a result of a fixture crisis, found it difficult early on. Things looked promising when Symonds bundled the ball home early in the first half. Even when the Reds equalised before the break with a great long-range lob, United were still enjoying plenty of the possession. Second half missed chances and defensive incompetence, however, soon turned optimism into despair and a 3-1 defeat. Not everyone found it easy to restrain their expressions of dissatisfaction.

    Hope springs eternal amongst the faithful and a fair Sunday crowd turned up to Middlefield to see United take on Solihull the following day. For supposed one time promotion chasers the Boro' were very disappointing in the first half, with Titterton giving United an early lead. Once again Hinckley's defensive frailties were soon exposed, however, and they went in all square at half time. Then, suddenly, it seemed Hinckley's fortunes may be changing. The Boro' keeper unexpectedly handled a passback, giving Thompson the chance to head the resultant free kick goalwards from close range. A superbly worked move down the Solihull left soon restored parity - but at least United fans had the small blessing of a point to cheer.

    United now face a Daventry Cup Semi-Final with Raunds Town on Tuesday (7.30pm Middlefield Lane). Victory will give Hinckley the chance of putting the recent League disappointments behind them and gain an important symbolic triumph in their first year as a merged club. Defeat will leave supporters asking even more questions about future prospects as the club enter the final two league games of the season.

    [Report 20 April 1998]

    UNITED LACK CUTTING EDGE

    United's hopes of a top six finish diminished further in a blustery Easter Monday fixture at Raunds Town. Raunds' open hillside ground exposed to strong prevailing winds made "long ball" play difficult and made for unconfortable conditions for players and spectators alike.

    Deprived by the weather of taking on Solihull Borough last Saturday, United went to Northamptonshire with a number of first teamers missing. Although controlling much of the possession, United struggled to create clear chances and fell to a goal in each half from the home side. It could have been different if Craig Martin's run early in the first half had received the finish it deserved. If youngster Lee Farrell's rasping shot, shortly after half time, had gone in rather than rattling the underside of the bar United could have been back in the game at a crucial moment. Overall, however, United seemed to lack a cutting edge, and a John Symonds' consolation goal three minutes from time could do little to lift the away supporters.

    Earlier in the week a 1-0 victory away to Evesham was not enough to keep United in the Midland Floodlit Cup. The tie finished 1-1 on aggregate and for the second time this season United's penalty taking let them down. Of the United players only goalkeeper Dale Belford had a successful shot as United crashed to the Midland Division strugglers. Fans will be hoping that the team can lift themselves for the end of season games with table toppers Solihull, Ilkeston and Bilston - otherwise there might be a frustrating end to the season in store.

    [Report 14 April 1998]

    END OF SEASON SLUMP CONTINUES

    There was more disappointment for United fans on Saturday, with a 0-0 draw at Stafford Rangers. Blakenall's 1-1 draw with Bedworth means that Hinckley stay seventh - just one place below a coveted top sixth spot - but many fans are beginning to wonder where the goals will come from in the remaining games of the season.

    The draw at Stafford followed a mid-week 1-0 home defeat at hands of lowly strugglers Evesham in the Midland Floodlit Cup. United now need a two goal victory at Evesham in the second leg to avoid an embarrassing early ejection from the competition,

    The last few games of the season will not be easy for United. On Saturday, the club welcome third placed Solihull Borough to Middlefield Lane. Second placed Ilkeston will visit the Lane for the final home game of the season, with the final game being away to fourth placed Bilston. United also face difficult visits to Raunds and Redditch - the latter of whom gave United a 4-0 thumping at Middlefield Lane earlier in the season. Without an improvement in goal scoring, United will struggle to land a top six finish.

    [Report 7 April 1998]

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