Grant Ryan scored Atletico's first goal at the Welfare Ground, but AFC could not capitalise
as Copsewood equalised then held out for a draw in the second half.
In the usual bad tempered game that are always the case against Copsewood, AFC did most of
the attacking during the first half, but allowed Copsewood back into the match in the second
half. Apart from a Kavanagh effort that was smothered by Adam Harrison, Copsewood had really
nothing to show for the first half. Sam Belcher played in Grant Ryan, who sliced just wide,
before Ryan gave Hinckley the lead just after 10 minutes when he was released by a deft chip
from Mahmoud Juma and he guided the ball into the net before Dale O’Donnell could get a touch.
Ryan again then fired just wide, before a long range curling effort was held by O’Donnell. Chris
Hollist then did well for Louis Hamilton cutting the ball back from the wing, but the former
Hinckley United man headed over. Just before half time came the first of a few bizarre decisions
from the referee, as a free kick from Tom Maddison was played into the area, O’Donnell came
to catch but dropped the ball at the feet of Ryan who blasted into the net, only to see the
goal ruled out for an inexplicable foul on the keeper.
Copsewood came more into the game second half as their physical tactics began to unsettle the
young Hinckley side. Harrison saved point blank at the feet of Leluu, before Copsewood equalised
in controversial circumstances. A tackle on the half way line in front of the dugouts resulted
in a throw for AFC awarded by the linseman, which was angrily contested by the whole Copsewood
bench resulting in a confrontation by the two sides and some yellow cards. The ref then awarded
the throw in to Copsewood, and whilst Hinckley were still protesting the change of decision,
Copsewood broke down the left and Milan Karanazvic had the space in the area to shoot past
Harrison from the edge of the box. Following this decision the temper of the match deteriorated
and both teams were guilty of questionable tackles for which a series of yellow cards were shown.
In the dying moments of the game a sweeping move saw Maddison cross perfect for Belcher who's
goalbound header beat O’Donnel, but blocked on the line, before Frazer Mullins returned the
favour for AFC and blocked the goal bound effort from Barnwell, resulting in AFC finishing
their first home game in a score draw.
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Coventry Copsewood details
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