Hednesford Town’s customary goal glut in the Birmingham Senior Cup showed no signs of abating as Michael Lennon swept in a last minute through ball to win the game with the odd goal of nine against a Burton Albion team containing no less than seven first team regulars.
The League Two outfit took the lead on 13 minutes through an outstanding half volley by Billy Kee, but The Pitmen rallied from a goal down to go 2-1 up. Lennon equalised on 25 minutes before Elliott Durrell confidently converted his fourth penalty in three games on 37 minutes as Burton were put under real pressure by a confident Hednesford outfit.
The home side extended their lead two minutes after half time when Durrell ghosted past three in the Burton defence, his shot was blocked but O’Connor scrambled the ball in from three yards.
Burton’s class told momentarily and The Brewers made it 3-3 with two goals in as many minutes, one from captain John McGrath on 66 minutes and one from Justin Richards on 67 minutes.
The drama didn’t end there as Sam Craven scored his first goal for The Pitmen on 75 minutes and then Barnes headed inches wide, only to see McGrath equalise and force the game seemingly into extra time before substitute Nathan Woolfe’s superb through ball set up Lennon for a dramatic winner.
The Pitmen’s victory makes it 10 wins from 12 matches as they go into Saturday’s match with FC United of Manchester just three points off top spot, looking for their first ever win against the Red Rebels.
Hednesford Town
Crane, Disney (Recci 60), Craven (75), Bailey, Barnes, MacPherson (c), Osborne (Woolfe 56), Durrell (37p), O’Connor (47), Lennon (25, 89), Shearer (Francis 90)
Subs Not Used
Campion, Allen
Burton Albion
Atkins, Corbett, O’Mahoney, Dyer, Green, Slade (Paterson 46), Garnett (Currie 46), McGrath (c) (67, 82), Richards (66), Kee (13), Taylor
Subs Not Used
Croucher, Palmer, Horton
Bookings – Corbett, Dyer, Slade
Attendance – 133
Star Man – Michael Lennon
Entertainment Rating – 5 Stars
Match Action
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