Hednesford Town relinquished their Birmingham Senior Cup title as local rivals Tamworth looked far stronger in the second half with Ben Richards-Everton in defence and Kevin Thornton in midfield particularly impressive.
It was Hednesford who started the better and took the lead when Marvin Johnson floated in a left footed free kick and Francino Francis was given the freedom of the area to head home powerfully on nine minutes.
Charlie Anagho-Ntamark almost doubled Hednesford’s lead on 23 minutes with a volley just wide after a flowing passing move by the visitors and Johnson tested the goalkeeper after the individual moment of the half saw the tricky winger slalom through the Tamworth midfield.
Jack Evans’ free kick from 20 yards was saved at full stretch by Crane as Tamworth began to come back into the game and on 44 minutes Francis conceded a penalty with a high foot on Jessy Reindorf and Thornton confidently converted.
Tamworth took the lead through Reindorf 60 seconds after the restart, The Pitmen then equalised through a John Disney penalty on 50 minutes but the usually dependable full back was hesitant shortly afterwards and Kaiyne Woolery restored the home side’s lead with ease just four minutes later.
Despite bringing on Michael Lennon, Kris Taylor and Marvin Robinson, The Pitmen weren’t able to gain any real foothold in the game and Tamworth saw out the victory with a goal each from Thornton and Batis-Cande.
Tamworth FC
Belford (capt), Evans, Reindorf (46) (Chadwick 76), Richards-Everton, Kerry, Thornton (37, 65), Caprice, Peniket, Woolery (54), Batis-Cande (90), Keane,
Subs Not Used
Hoban, Baker, Vanderhyde, Morgan
Hednesford Town
Crane, Disney (50 pen), Campion (capt) (Lennon 72), Bailey, Francis (9), Melbourne, Riley, Johnson, Sullivan (Robinson 64), Anagho-Ntamark (Taylor 59), Thorley,
Subs Not Used
McCone, Thompson-Brown
Bookings – Bailey, Thorley, Chadwick,
Entertainment Rating – 3 stars
Star Man – Richard Thornton
Attendance – 545
Match Action
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Photos by Colin Rogers
