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| February 2008 | |
| Monday 25th February | |
| Celtic continue hold over Hinckley | |
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Despite newly signed striker Adam Webster making his debut, a 0-3 defeat at the
Marston Stadium now means that Hinckley United have failed to record a win over
Stalybridge Celtic in the last nine games. The first thing to go wrong for Hinckley
was losing central defender Charlie O'Loughlkin after just 15 minutes when he
received a boot in the face damaging his cheek. Then, as in recent games, it was
sloppy defending that was the key to the game, and despite Hinckley having the
better of the opening chances an underhit back pass on the half hour left Sean
Bowles stranded as Danny Meechan lifted the ball over him, into the net. The
defence was caught out again right on half time when they were unprepared for a
Celtic short corner, tha ball was crossed low, but Sean Bowles failed to hold on
to it. Matt Barlow had the simple job of tapping the ball into the net for Celtic,
giving them a 0-2 half time lead. The second half was very scrappy as the wind
picked up speed, and Celtic were content to sit on their lead, hitting Hinckley
on the break as they pushed for goals to get back in the game. The game was sealed
10 minutes before the end when Lee Ellington won a debatable penalty which Andrew
Smart converted to make it a 0-3 win for Stalybridge. Click here for: Stalybridge Celtic match details |
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| Saturday 23rd February | |
| A Gray outlook for Hinckley | |
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Despite a good first half showing from Hinckley, Tony Gray completed his hatrick
for Southport in the second half, as they won 2-3 on their first visit to the
Marston Stadium. Hinckley were much the better team in the first half taking an
8th minute lead when Brian Quailey played Gez Murphy through the middle and the
Hinckley striker muscled past his marker and slotted past Steven Drench in the
Southport goal. This was followed up by Charlie O'Loughlin shooting just wide
from the edge of the area and then Leigh Platnauer trying a speculative dipping
shot from 30 yards which beat Drench, who though it was going over, but dipped
at the last moment agonisingly the wrong side of the post. Southport levelled on
the half hour as Tony Gray evaded his marker, from a corner, and headed home at
the near post. Minutes later Hinckley had regained the lead after Brian Quailey
ran at the 'Port defence and was brought down just inside the area. Gez Murphy
scored from the spot to give Hinckley a deserved 2-1 half time lead. Southport
were a complete different side in the second half and were on top for most of it.
They scored their second equaliser moments into the second half with Hinckley's
defence clearly mentally still in the dressing room. Gray picked the ball up on
the left and ran square into the penalty area, but with neither central defender
putting in a challenge he was free to fire home from 10 yards giving Bowles no
chance. Hinckley should've gone back in front moments later when Michael Byron's
header beat Drench, but Paul Barrat was in the right place to hack the ball off
the goaline. From that attack, Southport broke away and the ball was centered to
Tony Gray on the edge of the area, and again with Hinckley's defence streched, he
was free to shoot unchallenged and completed his hatrick giving Southport the lead.
Once in front, they never looked like losing the lead again, and Southport played
some good possesion football, often catching Hinckley on the break as they searched
for an equaliser. Neil Prince, like Platnauer's first half efforet, tried a long
dipping shot with Bowles stranded, but saw it rebound off the post. Then in the
closing stages Bowles got down well to save from Gray as Southport finished the
match the stonger, and in the end took the points their second half performance
deserved. Click here for: Southport match details |
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| Saturday 16th February | |
| Barrow torpedo Hinckley | |
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Mark Boyd hit an inury time winner for Barrow as they stole the points 1-2, against
Hinckley United, at the Marston Stadium. Hinckley had looked to be comfortable for
over an hour of the match, but the final 20 minutes saw the relegation threatened
side throw away the hard work they had done in the match. Hinckley had made the most
of the rare chances in the first half, with Brian Quailey wasting a good opportunity
by miskicking in front of goal, whilst Rico Richards saw one shot well saved by Tim
Deasy, and then had another effort kicked off the line, before Billy McKay's long
range shot was also held by Deasy. Hinckley though failed to make their chances
count and went in 0-0 at half time. It was only 5 minutes into the second half before
Hinckley did take the lead. Billy McKay ran in on the left of the area and fired a
shot at Deasy that the keeper could only parry. As the ball rebounded it hit Lee
Woodyatt on his arm, and even though it was unintentional, the ref awarded the penalty
and Gez Murphy stepped up to slot home. The lead only lasted 10 minutes as another
debatable penalty levelled things up. Nick Rogan turned in the area and was involved
in a clash with Michael Byron, for which the ref deemed to be a foul by the Hinckley
captain, and Chris Thompson equalised from the spot. Barrow, who had failed to register
a shot on goal up till this point, awoke from their slumber and began to put more
pressure on Hinckley's nervous defence. Rogan headed over the bar, and Thompson
had another effort drift wide, before Rogan again pulled another shot wide of the
goal. Hinckley appeared to have weathered the late storm, but as the match entered
into injury time, a corner was not properly cleared and the ball fell to Mark Boyd
standing on the edge of the area. Boyd unleashed a shot that flew into the top left
corner giving Sean Bowles no chance, and taking the 3 points back up to Click here for: Barrow match details |
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| Monday 11th February | |
| Hinckley show character to bounce back | |
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Hinckley United bounced back from their weekend battering to record their first
win in the last 7 games. Because of yet more injuries Leon Jackson and Kyle Storer
were both missing and Tom Bonner found himself covering in the right back position,
with Dominic Roma moved forward to right midfield, the defence reverting to a four
man back line. Hinckley couldn't have had a better start as in only the first minute
Rico Richards pushed the ball wide to Tom Bonner who crossed from the byline and
young Leicester City loanee Billy McKay scored his first goal for Hinckley at the
back post. Alfreton had a spell of possession following the early goal and forced a
series of approximately 10 corners, none of which seriously threatened the goal and
the Hinckley defence stood firm from constant pressure. The second half was quite
scrappy and there were only a few goal chances to speak of. Murphy cleverly turned
his man and attempted a chip that fell too short and held by the keeper, and Alfreton
had a speculative shot late on the clipped the outside of the post. The score remained
1-0 and gives Hinckley the faintest glint of hope of avoiding the drop. Click here for: Alfreton Town match details |
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| Saturday 2nd February | |
| Marna hatrick condemns Hinckley | |
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Kettering Town's Jean Paul Marna scored a hatrick at Rockingham Road as Hinckley
United were well and truly beaten 5-2 by the league leaders. With both Richard Lavery
and Tom Bonner suspended it meant another reshuffle in defence and Leigh Platnauer
was recalled from Gresley Rovers to slot in at left back. Kyle Storer was captain
at the back of midfield and Leon Jackson returned from injury to go back into the
centre of midfield. It was Storer's tackle though that gave Kettering the lead in
the 15th minute. It was inside the box and deemed a penalty, which Marna scored
with ease. Marna scored his and Kettering's second on the half hour after he beat
Sean Bowles to a cross from Andy Hall. Then it looked all over for Hinckley on 41
minutes as Chris Beardsley scored Kettering's third. Gez Murphy gave Hinckley fans
some hope shortly before half time when he got on the end of a Callum Lloyd through
ball and chipped Lee Harper in the Kettering goal. The fightback continued after
half time when 5 minutes into the second half Gez Murphy scored a 25 yard volley
to bring the score back to 3-2. Briefly Hinckley's midfield began to to get to grips
with the game and Kettering were on the back foot, but it was only a matter of time
before the Poppies stepped up a gear. On 73 minutes Brett Solkhoun scored from close
in after Hinckley failed to properly clear the ball and then Marna completed his
hatrick on 81 minutes. His pace took him clear of the Hinckley defence and slotted
the ball wide of Bowles, leaving Kettering clear at the top of the league, and
Hinckley adrift at the bottom. Click here for: Kettering Town match details |
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| Saturday 2nd February | |
| Hoyte brace and Bowles save gains a point | |
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A Gavin Hoyte brace of goals earned Hinckley United a 2-2 draw away at Gainsborough Trinity.
Hinckley started with new contract signing Michael Byron and on loan defender Charlie
O'Loughlin in a 5 man defence, yet were behind within the first 10 minutes. A mix
up let in Ryan Mallon who scored from 8 yards. It could've been much worse only
minutes later when Richard Lavery conceded a foul in the area, but Sean Bowles saved
the spot kick. It stayed that way until half time, then Hinckley equalised early
in the second half. A Kyle Storer free kick was played into the area and Gainsborough
failed to clear allowing Gavin Hoyte to score his first goal for Hinckley to level
the scores. Hoyte doubled his tally 5 minutes later when he finished off Kyle Storer's
corner with a header close in. The celebrations were short lived as Gainsborough's
Liam Nimmo equalised for them only minutes after Hinckley took the lead. Gainsborough
finished the game with 10 men when Liam Needham received his second yellow card on
82 minutes, but Hinckley couldn't make the extra man count and the game ended 2-2. Click here for: Gainsborough Trinity match details |
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| Friday 1st February | |
| Byron's ode to Hinckley | |
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Hinckley United have been lifted by the news that central defender Michael Byron
has signed an 18 month contract. The defender had spent 3 months loan from Notts
County, but having returned to the League Two club after his loan period, he agreed
terms with Hinckley and signed a contract. Also coming into the club on loan today are Billy McKay, a first year professional striker at Leicester City, and Charlie O'Loughlin, a first year professional defender from Port Vale. |
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