In-form Heanor Town look to extend winning run after five-goal thriller
Lions bounce back to continue autumn surge
Heanor Town are unbeaten in eight matches heading into the weekend after twice battling back from behind to edge a five-goal thriller.
Their 3-2 win at Hinckley AFC moved them fourth in Premier Division North of the United Counties League.
The Lions made a dreadful start, conceding in the fifth minute when what appeared to be a harmless cross resulted in a terrible mix-up and Millen Sheena’s headed clearance skewed sideways across the area and presented Prince Ogby with an open goal to head into.
Hinckley applied more early pressure and Max Thornberry’s diving headed clearance stopped another opportunity for the home side.
After 20 minutes Heanor started asking questions of the home backline. Mason Tudgay made a great run and cross into the area, finding his opposite wing back, John King, at the back post. King’s shot was beaten away for a corner from which Lions skipper Sam Brown headed onto the bar via the fingertips of the Hinckley ‘keeper.
The game was starting to resemble a basketball match, with each side attacking in turn, but it was Heanor who levelled on 26 minutes when Josh Timson’s crossed found an unmarked John King to flick home.
Hinckley responded, putting together a slick passing move for Luke Jones slam in to make it 2-1 at the break.
Heanor re-grouped at half time and Charlie Cheetham came on for Sheena.
The team gained greater control of the midfield and rewarded in the 55th minute when a long throw, initially cleared, was hooked back in by Thornberry and the ball struck the inside of the post and fell for Sacha Markelic to mop up for 2-2.
Buoyed by the goal, Heanor pushed on and it was no surprise when Jamie Sleigh slammed home a volley in the 71st minute to put them in front after good work from Markelic in the build-up.
Hinckley threw everything at Heanor in the final stages but the three points were secured thanks to a great stop from Jordan Pierrepont.
Next up is a UCL Cup tie at home to Northampton ONC on Saturday (3pm).