October 2004
Stamford Programme
The FA Cup, it starts all over again right here.

Here we go again hopefully embarking on another long road through the world's greatest footballing cup competition. It's been a while since we played Cheltenham Town at the Lane and we can't live on that match forever. The last two FA Cup outings have been a bit anonymous to say the least, so it's about time to put that right. OK last season we were knocked out by Scarborough, and it was a good day out, but I think we deserve something around the 1st round mark this year. If by some miracle we get to the 3rd round, then it could mean a big team in the Marston's Stadium. Hold on, I'm drifting into dream world here let's get back to reality...

Stamford aren't going to just roll over and let us tickle their tummy. Remember what we felt like when we traveled to Weymouth? Nobody cave us a chance. We mustn't go into the game today expecting to win without having to work for it. The Daniels are currently mid table in the Southern Premier, so it could be argued they are as good as we were a couple of season's ago. Middlefield Lane is a lucky ground for Stamford, I remember losing 2-1 on the last day of the 1998-1999 season, which ended a long unbeaten home record. To trot out the old tired clich�s the cup is a great leveller, anything can happen on the day, and it will be their cup final. Or something.

Right now for the comedy value! Have you seen this new League Cup format? If it wasn't bad enough that it's being sponsored by the moneybags that are bankrolling Hornchurch, the draw has been made in sections and has been drawn all the way to the final. In the first round Hinckley are away at Kettering. In the second round the winner of that match is at home to the winner of Nuneaton or Redditch. The winner of that match is at home in the 3rd round to Alfreton, Hucknall, Gainsborough or Worksop. In the fourth round... oh I can't be bothered to go any further it's too complicated. Take it from me if we win 4 matches then we are most likely to be away at Carlisle in the fifth round. I tell you what, let's just get the Kettering match out the way, and then worry about the rest.

Gotta say the lads did well against Droylsden to dig themselves out of hole. I can't agree with the decision to give a penalty, indeed no Droylsden player appealed for it and some even thought the free kick was for Hinckley. Still these things even themselves out over a season and whatever you think, penalty was the decision, so you have to live with it. We lost our discipline and shape for 5 minutes after that and we found ourselves another goal down. A great goal by Barnes saved a point, but we all know it really should have been all three. Strangely, so far we have not lost to any of the former Northern Premier league clubs. Long may that continue.
 
Mossley Programme
It was a job well done against Stamford, despite mild allegations of the team being lazy and lacklustre. Stamford never got any control of the midfield and were never a real threat. At 2-0 the lads switched off a tad and let Stamford back in, but even then Stamford never came forward in big numbers looking for a win. You can only beat the team put in front of you and 3-1 was right.

Mossley today will be a bit different. I'd expect them to be a stereotypical northern, physical (without being dirty, mind) team, who will battle the midfield and play the channels. They are currently in 7th place in the Unibond Division 1, so we will start favourites and they have nothing to lose. If we play like we have against any of the former Unibond clubs this season then I don't think we will have to worry about the physical side of things, or indeed being on the end of a giant kill.

Couldn't let today go without mentioning Wayne Dyer. Today will be his last game for a while as he is off on International duty again. As most of you are aware Wayne is the Captain of Montserrat and has been called up for their preliminary round games of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Yeah, OK, Montserrat are in 205th place in the FIFA rankings (that's bottom in case you didn't realise), but the country is a tiny island ravaged by an active volcano, which is ever changing the coast line due to underwater eruptions, and has a tiny populace compared to even the other Caribbean islands close to them. To even have a football team at all is a major achievement! Good luck Wayne against St Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda and St Lucia, and here's hoping you can add to your international goal tally.

While we're handing out plaudits I've got to say a big thank you to Officials and Staff at Hucknall. Last week after the entertaining 1-1 draw there were about 20-30 Hinckley fans (including the Independent Travel Club) that stayed to watch the England match in Hucknall Social Club. The banter between fans was good natured and friendly, and not even having the only Welshman in the place (alright Dai?) could put a downer on things. At half time in the England match platefuls of food appeared from nowhere. Not only was this for everyone, home or away fan, but it was also free. What a great gesture by Hucknall. Personally I think it would be a great gesture by our footy club if something could be done for the travelling Hucknall fans for the return game in the Marston's Stadium on 12th February. Just some sarnies and sausage rolls or something, nothing elaborate. I'll make sure that members of the board are aware of the gesture by Hucknall and see if we can reciprocate.
 
Stafford Programme
Wow, no giant killing there then...

What did I say last week? Mossley would be physical wasn't it? How wrong was I? Well they might have come with a game plan, maybe hold off for 10 odd minutes and then see how we react to them packing the midfield. Possibly then they might have started moving play down the flanks, as the midfield was too full. Let's see 1, 2, 3, 4... 9 seconds into the match and Matt Lewis had given us the lead. By the time Mossley finished having a look at us we were 2-0 up through Rich Lavery. By the time they'd start moving the flanks, we were 3-0 to the good thanks to 'bully' Barnes. By half time the match was won. What can you say except brilliant? A Lewis hatrick would've been the icing on the cake but that's just being greedy. There seemed to be two schools of thought before the match. Either it would be a scrappy game and we would play bad, Mossley play well and they scrape a win, or that we would hammer 'em. Then what about the draw? Suits me fine. A Conference, club not doing too well this season, at Middlefield Lane in the form of Nigel Clough's Burton Albion. In a typical football 'coincidence style thing' we've got Sam McMahon, John Burns, Adam Willis and Charlie Palmer, all of who have played for Burton Albion. I'm sure they would like to prove to the Brewers exactly why they shouldn't have let them go. Nigel Clough has already told the press how he is unhappy with the draw and how he rates Hinckley as one of the better teams in the Conference North. Dear me, mind games and paper talk already and we're not even into the first round yet.

Stafford Rangers today, who surprisingly haven't lived up to their pre-season favourites tag. I'd have to say they were one of the best teams we saw at Middlefield Lane last season and they still only went home with a point. We had to laugh though as they dominated most of the match after Jacko gave us the lead after quarter of an hour. They hit the post and bar a number of times and Tommy pulled off some great saves. He of the big hair Goodman scored their equaliser but try as they might they just couldn't get the winner. Defo' 1 point gained was that match. Before the season started there was an expectation for Stafford to do really well, but so far have been a bit hit and miss. They are still in the FA Cup though and will play Gateshead at home next week (so that's a bye for Stafford then.) Only one team out of Hinckley or Stafford will progress to the next round of the Trophy as we play each other in that competition in a few weeks time.

That Trophy match could be towards the end of a run of home matches over 8 weeks. We are at home to Stafford, Runcorn, Burton, and then Stafford again. If we are still in the FA Cup then the following week we will be at home again. A brief respite for an away match, then at home to Moor Green, Vauxhall Motors and Lancaster City. It's a possible schedule of 7 home Saturday games in 8 Saturdays. Last season we seemed to be away every Saturday leading up to Christmas, this season is the opposite and look like being at home every Saturday leading up to Christmas. So it's a toss up of buying my kids presents or using the money for footy...

Santa's not coming this years girls you've both been too naughty...
 
Runcorn Programme
The animals went in two by two hurrah.

What on earth went on Saturday against Stafford? Noah's Ark was on stand by in York Road and there was definitely a Kevin Costner look-alike on a Catamaran going down Middlefield Lane. The referee decided that we could play on the pitch despite there being standing water in areas. Those areas mainly being the centre circle and the goalmouths. It wasn't until I saw the referee tossing the coin did I understand, so I took a picture for you, on the left. With even more rain coming down onto the pitch it was always going to be the conditions that won the match. To be fair Stafford adapted better to the conditions and decided to lump the ball into the corners and pick up what we could. Our lads, for whatever reason, carried on trying to play football. You could say credit to them for giving it a go in those conditions or if you're harsh you could also say we were trying to be too pretty at times when we should have just boxed the ball and hope somebody was there. Stafford's second goal has to go down as an assist to the rain. When Tommy saved the shot at his near post and the ball travelled across the area, it just stuck in the mud right in the middle and Stafford were never gonna miss that. Most of the match was a lottery and it clearly wasn't a game of football.

Luckily results almost all went in our favour with all of the top three losing, so we didn't lose too much ground in our play-off hunt. We've got an opportunity tonight to show our bouncebackability against a Runcorn side that have somewhat lost their way and their identity. For Runcorn themselves actually play in Widnes. At the Halton Stadium to be exact, home of Widnes Rugby League Club. To put it in terms we could understand in local way, it would be like Hinckley playing their home games at Leicester Tigers' Welford Road ground. Judging from posts on the Runcorn message boards not many fans are happy at having to travel over the Mersey to sit in a 11000 seat stadium that doesn't even want them there. This is reflected in their crowds with an average figure of 250. The other closest ground to Runcorn is Witton Albion or Northwich Victoria, but most of the fans want to see the club back in Runcorn. Many can't see a future for their club away from their town and throwing money away on renting a stadium that is in the wrong place and that not enough people attend to even cover the cost of the rent. It is too late to go back to Canal Street, as it is now a housing estate. It makes you see how fortunate we are to be in the situation we are currently in.

One of our old boys has made the news for the wrong reason, Scott Voice has cost Redditch United 3 points. Redditch fell foul of a new rule this season regarding loan players. The rule is that loaned players may not return until a period of 28 days has passed since the start date of the loan. Voicey was officially on loan to Solihull Borough when he came on as a substitute in their 3-0 win over us. Redditch realised their error and contacted the league, which after discussion decided to dock the 3 points from that win over us. There has been debate on message boards as to whether the game should be replayed or not. Being as Redditch were 3-0 up when Voicey came on I don't think you could argue for a rematch. Plus it would be an extra midweek away game, and I really can't be arsed to go back to that god forsaken Chav infested Birmingham Jnr. Maybe we could elect a representative from each club and have a Turkish Wrestling competition in our centre circle. My money's on Rich Lavery!
 
Burton Programme
Almost 15 years ago the old Hinckley Athletic went to Eton Park in the season 1990-1991 FA Cup 2nd qualifying round. 90 minutes later, 4 goals down and out of the competition we came home again vowing never to return. We never did return. Ever since then the two clubs have managed to avoid each other in the cup, trophy, league, and paperboys reserves invitational tournaments. Hinckley Athletic ceased to be in 1997 when we merged with Hinckley Town and formed Hinckley United. 4 years in the Southern League Midland division and we gain promotion to the Southern League Premier, only to see Burton Albion switch from the Premier to the Unibond Premier. 3 seasons in the Southern Premier and we qualify for a place in the Conference Northern league, but of course Burton have already been playing in the Conference 'proper' National for 3 years. Now with approximately 8-10 places between the two teams we are almost within touching distance.

In fact when you think about it our teams have got more in common than first glance. Most of our team is made up of Burton cast offs. In a way we could use this match as a scouting exercise for next seasons players. If any of the Burton lads play well then we'll think about signing them up next season. In fact I have it on good authority that DT is having this current Burton signing watched - see picture. So who've we got that used to wear yellow? Well there's Sam McMahon, he's settled nicely into midfield and looking full of confidence alongside John Burns. Both players failed to impress at Eton Park so may be eager to impress a bit more in this cup match. Though cruelly Sam's minor injury may keep him out of this match, and rob him of footballing revenge. We've also got Adam Willis in defence. OK so he was only with Burton for a month or so, but he did play in the Torquay FA Cup match that I'm sure all Burton fans will remember. Yet again though, Adam's minor injury could also prevent him from haunting his old club. Just for good measure behind it all, holding everything together is Charlie Palmer. Charlie had a few seasons at Burton before coming to play for us, and now he has the 'Good Cop' role to DT's 'Bad Cop' role he could orchestrate the downfall of his former club. Two other players who Burton will know about from playing against them in the Conference are Paul Barnes and Richard Lavery.

One familiar face in the Burton team we should all know, and not just because he is a hero to many of the local Forest fans (alright Andy and Maz?), not only because he was a great player for England, Forest and Liverpool, but because he sometimes comes to midweek matches when Burton don't have a game. Nigel Clough, the Burton player/manager, is not a stranger to Middlefield Lane and he will know and have told his squad exactly what to expect from this match. Also there is no way I could write this column without sending my best wishes, I'm sure from all fans at Hinckley, to Nigel and his family and commiserations at the sad passing of his father.

Here's hoping for a good clean game, two falls or a submission and nothing in this match for two in a bed. Enjoy what could well be the last ever FA Cup game at Middlefield Lane...

Did I get away without mentioning 'bouncebackability'?
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