Jack Hinchy: Scoring First Goal and Looking Ahead at Notts County

Jack Hinchy, the 21-year-old Notts County midfielder, recently experienced a milestone moment in his football career, netting his first professional goal in the dying moments of Tuesday night’s 3-2 defeat to Walsall.

Despite the bittersweet nature of the occasion, Hinchy reflected positively on his progress, offering insights into his development and aspirations at Meadow Lane.  

Hinchy described his maiden goal, scored in the 90+4th minute, as a special moment, albeit one tinged with disappointment due to the result. "It was a great feeling to score my first goal in professional football. Obviously, it was a bittersweet moment as we didn't get anything from the game in the end," he admitted.

Nevertheless, the midfielder took pride in how the goal came about, crediting the team’s attacking philosophy for putting him in the right position. "The way we play in this team, you end up in those situations a lot, even as a holding midfielder. I’ve been working on hitting the target in the last couple of weeks, and luckily, it went in."  

The young midfielder acknowledged the importance of simply giving himself a chance to score. Reflecting on his recent struggles with accuracy, Hinchy said, "A few of my shots recently haven’t been on target, and obviously, it’s not going to go in that way. We spoke about even taking a little bit off the actual shot but making sure it at least gives it a chance. Luckily, it went in."  

While celebrating his first goal was tempting, Hinchy explained how the context of the match shaped his reaction. "The most important thing is trying to get something from the game. You can look back on the goal and celebrate it in different ways afterwards, but in the moment, it was just about trying to get back in the game," he said.  

Now settling into life at Notts County, Hinchy expressed gratitude for the support he’s received since joining the club. "I’m really enjoying it. Everyone around the club, the players, the staff have made me feel welcome from the first day. Overall, we’ve done well this season, even if it hasn’t been going as well recently. I’m hoping we can pick things up and have a successful season."  

Despite a winless run extending over a month, Notts remain in sixth place in League Two, a testament to the competitiveness of the division. "It’s so close at the top," Hinchy noted. "You can’t take your eye off the ball because a few points could drop you into the lower half of the table. Even when times aren’t going well, you’ve got to stay focused and keep at it."  

For Hinchy, this season is about more than just results: it’s about establishing himself in senior football. "The main thing I want is game time in men’s football. I’m still young and learning, so anytime I get on the pitch, I try to take what I can from the game."  

Hinchy’s journey to Meadow Lane has been eventful, moving from Stockport County to Brighton at 18 before loan spells at Shrewsbury Town. Now at Notts, he believes his career is truly beginning. "Under-21s football is good in some ways, but you don’t get the real taste of what football is really like. This season, I feel like I’m starting to grasp that and kick-start the career in men’s football that I wanted."  

With his first goal under his belt, Hinchy hopes to contribute more moments like this in the future, stating with a smile, "Fingers crossed, anyway."

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