HINCKLEY AFC 0-1 AYLESTONE PARK: THE MOWDOG'S INDEPENDENT REPORT & REVEALING SCREENSHOTS...

 Warring Contest Won By Peace…

Hinckley AFC 0-1 Aylestone Park

The Mowdog’s thoughts…

An early dismissal for AFC’s skipper Zak Evans ruined this match as a contest, leaving Hinckley shorthanded and surviving, a situation compounded when winger Zach Tellyn was sin-binned during the second period. Players from each team, Jack Edwards of AFC and Charley Kilburn of Aylestone were also red-carded during the second 45, following an unpleasant clash in front of the grandstand.

Certainly, Park dominated possession with patience but until the break neared they had been unable to break down a spirited and resolute Hinckley defence, superbly led by Joe Obi, who, amongst others made stunning blocks.

Before the winning goal was scored, the visitors had seen a low shot by Corey Bucalossi blocked at the near post by home goalie Divin Emmanuel, who then stopped efforts by Sam Hollis and Marshal Keenan, who nodded over too from a decent position. Obi blocked a Hollis drive, the industrious Pearson Mwanyongo fired too high and an indirect free-kick taken four yards back from the actual incident, on the left corner of the 6 yard box, saw Park skipper Jake Duffy’s effort blocked heroically.

EMMANUEL HANDLES DLIONGA'S BACK-PASS...

...BUT THE FREE-KICK IS TAKEN SOME YARDS BACK...

So, a measured half of possession had been orchestrated by the guests, which culminated in a crucial right-flank corner. Clearly, Park’s attacker Corey Armeni, standing on the goal-line grabbed Emmanuel’s jersey as the flag-kick was taken and actually prevented the ‘keeper from moving, as well as being in an offside position as Peace’s header passed by them both into the net. Interesting…

ARMENI YANKS EMMANUEL'S SHIRT...

...& IS ALSO OFFSIDE & IMPEDING EMMANUEL AS PEACE'S HEADER GOES INTO GOAL...

Following the interval, the Aylestone domination began to break down slightly and in truth, Hinckley really might have snatched an unlikely point late on, which would surely have embarrassed Aylestone, who missed several more chances as a spectacular sunset appeared over the stadium.

Keenan was denied by Emmanuel’s plunge at his feet, then he had a free-kick saved too, although replacement Evandro Sanches’ rebound was miscued into the fallen gloveman’s arms. Two efforts by the comfortable in possession Bucalossi drifted just off target and Emmanuel dived to turn aside a fine angled effort by Mwanyongo.

Interestingly though, a break at inside-left by AFC changed the dynamics of the encounter, for Park’s left-back Andres Articolo raced across the pitch to take out AFC’s Josh Beeson and earned himself a caution, despite the Hinckley players and fans screaming for a red card. Tellyn was subsequently sent out for 10 minutes and the ensuing free-kick from downtown by Riley Davoille was smartly tipped over the crossbar by Park’s goalminder Josh Wormleighton.

WORMLEIGHTON TIPS DAVOILE'S FREE-KICK OVER THE CROSSBEAM...

Unbelievably, Hinckley missed three opportunities in the latter stages of the match. First an unchallenged headed effort by Beeson was inaccurate and wide of the left stick, Obi, also unchallenged, nudged an effort wide of the right post and finally, in the dying seconds, home left-back Adam Barber somehow forced a free header past the left angle of crossbar and upright… 

The memorable moments…

As an independent watcher, it was interesting that when Evans tackled Articolo, sliding and sending the ball careering over the sideline, most of the Park players raced across to the incident in a display of disdain, which placed the referee, further away from the incident than one of his assistants, in a tough position. He chose to show a red card to Evans and effectively ruined a promising contest, whether rightly or wrongly, but he also left himself in a very awkward position and under severe pressure. He clearly irritated Hinckley’s players, coaching staff and supporters on more than one occasion, as AFC battled to keep Park at bay.

The goal left questions to be answered by the officials too, despite the fact that in essence, Aylestone deserved to take the points from the chances created and the possession enjoyed following the dismissal of Evans…

Duffy, Mwanyongo, Keenan, Bucalossi and Armeni were all heavily involved in the Park offense, especially the skipper who was afforded so much space in the central midfield.

Hinckley’s defensive showing was actually remarkable, with Obi well supported by Jay DLionga, Barber and Oliwier Szymanski, all backed by the reactions of Emmanuel between the vertical poles… 

EMMANUEL: PLAYED WELL FOR AFC...

A fascinating evening…