Saturday 6th February 2010
Blue Square North
Hinckley United 1 (Hall 56)
Vics 1 (Riley 23)

A chance for both sides in the opening 90 seconds provided the benchmark for what was to become a keenly fought contest that eventually ended with shared spoils that was probably the right result.
Jimmy Spencer made early progress down the left channel and delivered a cross that was met by Brian Dutton 6 yards from goal but Chris MacKenzie somehow saved. Almost immediately Eribenne broke clear on goal only to drag his shot wide of the target. Mike Aspin then fired wide when well placed following good work from Junior Brown. A mix up between Curtis Aspden, preferred to Jamie Spencer, and his defenders caused momentary chaos before Aspin stepped in to boot clear. Two minutes later the Vics wingback was in action at the other end and from his measured cross Wayne RILEY ghosted into the box to score from an accurate low shot. Mat Bailey headed a Riley corner wide and then Junior Brown’s close range header was kept out by MacKenzie leaving Vics having to settle for a single goal advantage at the break.

HALF TIME: HINCKLEY UNITED 0 VICS 1

The drama continued in the second half with Jon D’Laryea shooting wide of an inviting target before Eribenne headed wide from a scoring position for United. Bailey, revelling in his role as team captain, saw his header scooped off the line before United drew level. HALL got onto the end of a long punt to better the Vics defence and score beyond the exposed Aspden. Eribenne again wasted an opportunity while Nat Kerr, deputising for the suspended Simon Grand, fired wide following good work from Spencer. With the home side gaining the upper hand and the game entering its final stages Vics were indebted to Aspden for fine saves to deny Gooding and then Pickering.

Team: 3-5-2
Aspden /
Kerr, Bailey, Clarke /
Aspin, Riley, Vermiglio (Herring 83), D’Laryea (Connor 64), J. Brown /
Dutton, Jimmy Spencer (Danks 78) /
Subs not used: R. Brown & Newby
Referee: Marc Perry (Sutton Coldfield)
Man of the Match: Mat Bailey was superb in the heart of a sometimes shaky Vics defence while Wayne Riley worked tirelessly and demonstrated his growing maturity throughout the game.