City Win At Hinckley

Before kick-off, Dean Thomas, the Hinckley manager, took time out to speak to Michael Gynn, one of a number of Sky Blues supporters in attendance, in a crowd that was announced as 279.

With City lining up in a 4-4-2 formation, the early exchanges were even, with Leon Kelly's forward burst being foiled by the Scott Ward, and then Andy Morrell looping a header over the Hinckley cross-bar. An early goal to
the home team, quickly followed, however; Carl Heggs attempted an ambitious overhead kick which ended on the right-wing, but as the ball was returned into the box, Heggs smartly side-footed into the Sky Blues net from sixyards.

A number of off-side decisions frustrated City attempts at an equaliser, although Andy Morrell's effort from a Don Hutchinson flick looked legitimate.

Kevin Thornton looked the liveliest player on the pitch, and his runs kept the Hinckley defence on their toes, although after 30 minutes, City had still not managed a direct shot on goal. For the remainder of the half,
however, the pressure was maintained on the Hinckley goal, and a header from Hutchison, shots from Jay Tabb and then Morrell, and another effort from Andy Whing, threatened to bring the visitor's level. With heavy rain
falling just before half-time, Ben Turner hit the top of the bar with a firm heaer from Cameron's corner.

Neither Manager made any changes for the start of the second-half, and again a lively opening saw Neil Cartwright's dangerous low cross diverted for an early corner to the home team. The first 15 minutes of the half was Hinckley's last period of domination, as the Sky Blues turned the game around with two goals in as many minutes. Firstly, after his intial free-kick had been blocked by the wall, Don Hutchinson stepped forward and
found the corner of the net off the left-hand post. Hutch was again involved a minute later, when his through ball found Tabb in an onside position, and he raced clear of the defence to smash the ball into the roof of the net.

A flurry of substitutions by the home team followed, which included goalscorer Heggs, and the Sky Blues followed suite a few minutes later when Dale Jones was replaced by Liam Robinson at right-back.

The game opened up in the final quarter, with Hinckley winning a number of corners without really being able to threaten the Sky Blues' goal, and with City finding time and space to use the counter attack, Tabb kept the home
defence tied up with several bursts on goal. Morrell came closest to closing the scoring, placing a right-foot shot just wide of Haystead's left-hand post, and City safely negotiated the final minutes to record a narrow win.

Full Time : Hinckley United 1 Coventry City 2

Teams :

Hinckley United

Danny Haystead, Steve Marriner, Michael Love, Richard Lavery (c), Barry Woolley, Matt Gadsby, Neil Cartwright, Leon Jackson, Carl Heggs, Leon Kelly, Sam Shilton.

Coventry City
Scott Ward, Dale Jones, Andy Whing, Don Hutchinson, Ben Turner, Isaac Osbourne, Kevin Thornton, Claus Jorgensen, Andy Morrell, Colin Cameron (c),Jay Tabb. Sub : Liam Robinson for Dale Jones (72 minutes)

Goals :
Heggs 1-0 (9 minutes), Hutchinson 1-1 (61), Tabb 1-2 (62).

Referee : Brain Curson (Hinckley)

Sky Blues Man-of -the-Match : Thorton and Tabb lively, but Osbourne was
quietly efficient at centre back.