AUGUST 2001
The first month out of the way and we aren't bottom of the league, er just!
 
It's a start. I think we've shown we can compete and will not be overwhelmed. The game against King' Lynn especially. Ok we've not won a game yet, but I think the ability is there and the self-belief will come. The teams Hinckley have played so far have only just been that bit stronger and quicker and when we settle down the results will come. Maybe with a bit more fitness and experience we could have won the Cambridge and Worcester games. These are the lessons the team needs to learn, and build on.
 
The object of this season must be to consolidate and learn. I don't think, if it starts going wrong, the solution is to throw out the players and start again. We should educate the players we've got because they are capable, they just need a little bit more time and experience. What the supporters need to do is have some patience, not expect big wins, and give the players time to settle into the pace and strength of this league. As the great Corporal Jones once said, "Don't Panic!".
 
Here we go...
There I was watching the Sky panel, waiting for the half times and then it was there. Welling 3 - 0 Hinckley! Gumpff. How bad was it going to be? Full time, well what a fight back, Welling 3 - 2 Hinckley. Whatever Dean Thomas said to them at half time, he should have said before the game. We even had a strong penalty appeal turned down in the final minutes, but not disgraced in our first game as everyone other than us thought we would be. Titterton and Lenton getting Hinckley's first Premier goals. The lessons were learnt and put into practice for the next game.
King's Lynn at home. Lynn being one of the pre season favourites and also starting very well. Hinckley were more physical and stood up more to the pace and power. Lynn were never really in the game, and only the referee knows why he disallowed 2 good goals for Hinckley. Middlefield Lane again provides a stumbling block for away teams though Lynn know they escaped with a point more than played for it. Final score 0 - 0, just.
Cambridge City came next and a quick return against his old teammates for Bevan Browne. A very strong defence kept out Hinckley for a half and the Lilywhites went in 0 - 1 up. Yet again another 2nd half transformation saw Hinckley dominate and deservedly go 2 - 1 ahead through Titterton and Lucas. However one of those non-league football moments, that Scott Bentley will want to forget for a long time, befell Hinckley. A failure to clear and then a failure for Bentley to get to the bounce of the ball saw it loop over his head and a soft equaliser for Cambridge.
The game away to Worcester City should have been our first win of the season. Taking a 2 goal lead early on, through Lenton and Hunter, and then going into injury time 2 - 3 ahead, thanks to Lenton again. Somehow Worcester managed to score 2 goals and finish winners by 4 - 3! On the plus side, I can find one; we are unbeaten at home this season.
 
In out, Shake it all about
A busy summer saw quite a bit of line dancing. Outward bound were Danny George to Grantham, Richard Lavery to Nuneaton Borough, Dave Sadler to Kingstonian, Jon Hassall has been released and Wayne Starkey has retired. I wish all the players well except obviously when or if they play against Hinckley. Incoming is Tim Wilkes from Grantham, Andy Penney from Solihull, Gavin O'Toole form Aberystwyth, Steve Coates from Gresley, Bevan Browne from Cambridge and Keeper Damien Beattie from Evesham United.
 
World of Football Stuff
A football mad lad was heartbroken when his favourite player ordered him to give back a winners medal he had thrown into the crowd. The 10 year old boy caught the medal after Liverpool's Jamie Carragher had lobbed it into the crowd after the Charity Shield. Amazingly for today's youth, the lad penned a 5 page thank you letter. However Carragher claimed the medal was meant for a friend, also in the crowd, and Carragher's father even threatened legal action if it wasn't returned. Carragher said "I'll try to make it up to him by sending him a signed shirt". Who says footballers earn too much, it's so nice to come across a footballer with such a generous and charitable nature.
 
Swansea Football club gave fans a shock in their programme, the fixtures page had the games for Swansea Rugby club. So that's 11 footballers versus 15 thugs from Llanelli, who's the hooker?
 
Football superstar Fabrizio Ravenelli has signed for a Sunday League 3rd division side. Pub player Mark Shepherd went to get his autograph, but the only paper he had were signing on forms for his local Crown Inn Sunday side. Mark said "We'd be in trouble if we registered him so we'll just frame the form". Though it's a good idea isn't it. Hinckley should hand out signing on forms to the supporters and tell them to go autograph hunting.
 
Coming next Month: 8 matches, highlights including games against the other new boys, Chelmsford and Newport IoW, the return against King's Lynn already, early surprise strugglers Hednesford and an FA Cup game to round off the month.
 
return to top