Match Preview: Hinckley (H), Tues 14th Oct, 7:45PM

Date: Tuesday 14th October 2025
Time: 7:45pm
Opponent: Hinckley AFC
Venue: The Oval, Coventry Road, Bedworth, CV12 8NN
Admission Prices: £10 Adults, £8 Concessions, £5 Students 17-19, £1 Children 5-15, Under 5s and NTFC Season Ticket Holders Free
Matchball sponsor: A & A Stores
Programme sponsor: Andy Pace

It's a big one on Tuesday as Nuneaton Town and Hinckley reignite the A47 derby for the first time competitively since 2012.

Nuneaton Borough and Hinckley United, both former versions of the two sides, would regularly lock horns in the 90s and 00s, but with both clubs now gone, and with both clubs without a home of their own, its up to Town and AFC, both now fan run clubs, to take the rivalry into a new era.

Nuneaton Town saved their unbeaten start by the skin of their teeth on Saturday as Danico Johnson's late header snatched a point from the jaws of a defeat against Godmanchester Rovers, who had scored twice in the second half to overturn a 1-0 deficit at the break.

In doing so Nuneaton gained a point on Aylestone Park in second as they suffered defeat for the first time this season, a 4-3 thriller at Newport Pagnell Town, leaving Nuneaton as the league's sole remaining unbeaten side.

Hinckley, who were beaten 6-0 on the opening day by Daventry Town, changed their manager after 2 games and went on an unbeaten run of 8 games to shoot up the table, although disappointing defeats to Godmanchester Rovers 4-2 and March Town United on Saturday 5-2 have seen that run come abruptly to a halt. They currently sit 8th with 5 wins 3 draws and 4 defeats, 12 points behind the leaders.

Hinckley will also have a familiar look to them, as several ex Nuneaton players could feature. Louis Baker, Sam Belcher, Chandler Pegg, Joe Magunda and recent signing Ben Whitehead-Thompson have all featured for a Nuneaton Town or Borough side before. Whilst Declan Somel, Brandon Bache, Luke Jones and Alex Lock are ex Hinckley players now playing for Nuneaton.

It's set to be a tough test for a Nuneaton side just going through a tricky patch, but its a local derby, under the lights, and in front of a big expected crowd. Can Nuneaton bring the bragging rights this side of the A5 for now?

History:

In October 2013 Hinckley United dissolved, and Leicester Road were formed by the owners, and Hinckley AFC were formed by the fans.

Hinckley initially bid to buy their former ground, but due to legal issues were unsuccessful, and instead Leicester Road FC made it their home. Hinckley AFC have since been, like Nuneaton Town since 2024, homeless. They initially shared with Heather St John's for 4 seasons, then Ibstock United for 2, but moved to Barwell's Kirkby Road ground in 2020, and have agreed with Barwell to remain there up until the end of the 2031-32 season.

Another similarity they have with NTFC is they won the Midland League Division 1 the season before last. It will be interesting to see how the two fan run rival clubs will compete in the same division.

Previous meetings:

Wednesday 26th July 2017 (Pre-Season Friendly)

Hinckley 2-4 Nuneaton Town

(Luke Trotman, Alex Henshall, trialist, Ashley Chambers)

Sunday 1st January 2012 (Blue Square North)

Nuneaton Town 2-5 Hinckley United

(Gareth Dean, Adam Walker)

Last season: United Counties League Premier South (9th)