Hednesford Town moved into the semi-finals of the Birmingham Senior Cup following an exciting 5-3 victory over Alvechurch at Keys Park, writes Scott Smith.
The first few minutes of the game passed by without any major incident with the only action coming off the field as Neil Harvey collided with an advertising hoarding which left the striker requiring treatment for some minutes before returning to the field.
Following an even opening, it was Hednesford who took the lead in the 20th minute as the returning Francino Francis headed home from a Nathan Woolfe corner. Just two minutes later the visitors were level as Francis was adjudged to have fouled Joe Wright in the area and Ryan Edmunds stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.
It was to be Alvechurch who would go in 2-1 up at the break though, as Jazz Luckie headed home unchallenged from inside the area after 31 minutes.
With the wind behind them the Pitmen came out with more impetus in the second period and levelled the scoreline on 52 minutes as Elliott Durrell’s cross evaded everyone and ended up in the net.
Town were now on top and they re-took the lead on the hour mark with Francis grabbing his second goal of the evening after Harvey’s downward header was palmed away by Alvechurch goalkeeper, Liam Maher, into the path of the defender.
But the visitors didn’t let their heads drop and in the 64th minute they were level as the ball ricocheted off Tristian Dunkley and into the net despite Darren Campion putting in an excellent tackle on the winger.
Alvechurch would be level for just four minutes though, as a high-lofted corner from Jamey Osborne defeated everyone and found its way into the back of the net to make it 4-3.
With the game still very much end-to-end, Hednesford were finally able to finish off the visitors in the 87th minute as substitute Alex Melbourne drilled home right-footed from 25 yards in order to take the Pitmen into the last four of the Birmingham Senior Cup.
Hednesford will look to take this result with them into Saturday’s league game at Ashton United as they continue their push for promotion out of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.
Hednesford Town: Crane, Disney, Campion (Barnes 74), Craven, Francis, Wright, Osborne, Durrell, Harvey (Melbourne 83), O’Connor (Lennon 68), Woolfe
Subs not used: Grier, Rey
Alvechurch: Maher, Hatfield, Lee, Spink, Morris, Allen, Edmunds (Cameron 58), Cosgrave, Luckie, Wright (Kenny 52), Dunkley
Subs not used: Calkeld, Holtham
Man of the match: Jamey Osborne
Official Attendance: 153
