Stafford Town vs Hinckley AFC
0 - 3
29 September 2020 · North West Counties<br>South
Home league match played on 29 September 2020.
Kicked off at 7:45 PM
0-3
vs Hinckley AFC
Home league match
Nobody in attendance could fault the effort and endeavour of the boys in red but it just wasn't enough in what appears from the score line a comfortable win for much fancied Hinckley. That wasn't really a reflection of the action that unfolded however and the Stafford lads could be forgiven for feeling a little hard done by.
The opening exchanges were a little cagey as both sides sized each other up akin to boxers in the opening stages. The hosts enjoyed good spells of possession without really threatening the visitors goal and Hinckley were organised and patient out of possession. In the seventh minute however the deadlock was broken by a goal worthy of winning most games to be fair to scorer Chris Lloyd. He drove at full back Matt Dean down the Hinckley left before cutting inside (as per Stato Al Heaths pre game warning) and curled a beauty into the top far corner from fully 22 yards. This gave the visitors a huge lift as it would anyone however the hosts weren't for folding and unlike previous similar situations they rallied, dug in and took the game to Hinckley which contributed to a good spectacle.
On the stroke of half-time Town were dealt a body blow when the left winger delivered a speculative cross a couple of yards from the touchline. The out swinger somehow deceived Joe Morris between the sticks and dipped under the crossbar for a 0-2 lead.
The Town players dusted themselves off during the halftime interval and started the second period very brightly. Nathan Scott and Kyle Ashman were both a positive threat constantly getting at their respective full back with several dangerous deliveries not being capitalised on. Additionally Connor Leek warmed the fingertips of the Hinckley stopper. 65 minutes in however and the contest was effectively over. Tom Duffy drove forward from the heart of defence and was closed down by the Hinckley skipper Tom Wheale before he could offload the pass. Both players ended up on the floor but Wheale was quickest to his feet but was also very quick with his thinking. From the centre spot he saw Joe Morris off his line and sublimely lobbed him from the halfway line. Sometimes you just have to applaud the play of your opposition.
To compound a miserable night for the club, Ryan Blagbrough landed awkwardly in the 70th minutes and it transpires he has serious damage to both his meniscus and ACL and has a long road to recovery ahead. We are all behind you Blaggy!
Match highlight can be found at Stafford Town Tv here;
https://youtu.be/NRlJ5eLRuxY