Atletico bowed out of the FA Vase with heads held high, after taking an early 2-0 lead
and even a Sam Agar hatrick couldn't prevent the higher league opposition winning this
5th round tie in extra time.
Sam Agar returned to the starting line up, along with Darious Darkin in midfield, and the
ever young JJ Melligan made his 50th appearance for the club starting at right back. And what
a start it was putting Buckland on the back foot from the off. Andy Westwood crossed the face
of goal in the 7th minute that Sean Williams played back in to Agar to blast home from 10 yards
out opening the scoring for Hinckley. 4 minutes later the lead was double when Agar moved down
the left played inside to Darkin, who spread the ball wide for Sean Williams who in turn provided
his second assist crossing low into the goal area for Agar to smash in his second. Shell shocked
Buckland looked to get themselves organised and Agar could've completed his hatrick on 20 minutes
when Lee Thomas did well on the left to set him up, but Grant Fisher did well in the Bucks goal
to save the chance. As the half moved on Buckland began to get a grip on the game and show their
higher level finishing the last 15 minutes the stronger team. Haydn Whitcombe had to be alert to
grab a Jarod Lewington header, then Gavin Hammon forced the AFC keeper into a diving save that was
parried to the feet of Lewington who's follow up shot cannoned off the inside of the post and
cleared away to safety. Lloyd Gardner, a constant thorn in Hinckley's side all afternoon would
be Buckland's hero just before half time, first his run inside from the left flank took out 2 AFC
defenders before firing an unstoppable shot past Whitcombe reducing the deficit, then right on
half time a carbon copy of his mazy run coming inside on the left set up Hammon in the centre to
score the equaliser.
The second half was very open with both sides playing football and creating chances. AFC had the
first as Ryan Seal put the ball just wide of the post from the edge of the box, then for Buckland
Rich Groves dribbled into the area and forced Whitcombe into a good save, before Groves again
fired over when well placed. For the third time in the game Sean Williams provided the assist for
Agar, releasing the striker through the middle and Agar made no mistake when one on one with Fisher,
restoring Hinckley's lead. Then Sean Williams almost won the game with a strike from the edge of the box
which came back off the under side of the crossbar. Then with a qurter of the game left Buckland
equalised a second time, Gardner again beat 2 defenders played a one two and curled the ball around
Whitcombe and into goal. Groves fired a free kick over for Buckland then Agar saw his effort guided
out of the reach off Fisher but trickled just the wrong side of the post as the game then moved into
extra time.
The decisive goal was scored by Buckland at the start of extra time, as possession was lost by AFC in
midfield and left Groves in on goal who placed his shot wide of the advancing Whitcombe scoring
Buckland's fourth goal. Hinckley threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, Agar crossed
low and Pete Williams was inches away from converting, before Sean Williams appeared to be fouled
in the area, but no offense was ruled by the referee. Sean Williams then fired a shot from the edge
of the area that Fisher gathered, Agar headed goalwards which was deflected for a corner by a defender
on the line, from which the ball was played to the back post and Ryan Paddock powered a header
against the crossbar. Then in the final minute of extra time, Javia Roberts was through on goal
before being brought down cynically just outside the area. With Whitcombe joining the attack all 22
players on the pitch were in the Buckland area, and as Sean Williams free kick came in a melee in the
goal mouth saw the ball eventually scrambled away by the Buckland defence and the referee blew for time,
ending the record breaking FA Vase run by Hinckley AFC.
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