Danny Glover reaches 50 goals for the Pitmen as Hednesford book a place in League Cup semi-final –
An industrious performance and clinical finishing from the Pitmen saw them ease past high-flying Basford United in the Integro League Cup Quarter Final clash at Keys Park.
In the 3rd minute Callam Mendez-Jones set the tone for the evening with a commanding run down the wing before finding Danny Glover in the visitors’ area who fired past Jake Wood to claim his 50th goal in Pitmen colours.
Basford looked dangerous going forward with Hearn and Austin asking questions of the home defence, with James Wren making a smart save in the 10th minute to preserve the Pitmen lead.
In the 23rd minute Jack Rea’s advancing run was abruptly ended on the edge of the Basford area. From the free kick Danny Glover doubled the lead at the second attempt, striking home after his initial low blast deflected back to him off the defensive wall.
In the 42nd minute James Lawrie’s intelligent pass out of defence found Anthony Dwyer with plenty of space to exploit on the left. His cross was met by Danny Glover whose effort on goal teed up Jordan Graham to finish neatly from close range giving the Pitmen a 3-0 half time lead.
HT 3-0
The second half began with a bizarre incident when Kieron Fenton sliced the ball past his own keeper following a deep cross from Jordan Graham to extend the home side’s lead.
Wren made a couple of excellent saves as the game was disrupted by substitutions from both sides. Credit must go to Basford United who continued to play some decent attacking football despite the score line.
Joe Fitzpatrick’s free kick from just inside the attacking half, was headed behind following pressure from Glover. The resulting corner was tipped onto the crossbar with skipper for the night Charlie Gatter on hand to nod the ball into the net in the 85th minute. Moments later Danny Glover came close to making it six and claiming his hat trick, but his fierce shot went wide of the far post in the closing moments of the game.
Pitmen: Wren, Mendez-Jones, Curley, Bailey, Gatter (c), Rea (Harris 61), Dwyer, Fitzpatrick, Glover, Graham (Butlin 65), Lawrie (King 46).
Subs not used: Thorley, Veiga
Basford United: Wood, Grayson (Meikle 13), Bartle, Thornhill, Carr (c), Roma, Nash, Fenton (Wakefield), Austin, Hearn (Bell-Toxtle), Reid.
Sub not used: Lewis.
Attendance: 188
