Hednesford Town kicked off their Emirates FA Cup campaign away at Darlaston Town. The hosts had overcome Racing Club Warwick in the extra preliminary round and had drawn both of their league games, the Pitmen were beginning to put a run of form together with a win and draw in their opening two fixtures.
Hednesford had the better of the possession in a goalless first half, however the better chances fell to the home side with Aaron Bishop missing a good opportunity before forcing a decent save from Dan Crane. Ronee Hendricks went close for Darlaston shooting just wide from a well worked free kick routine. In reply Rivel Mardenborough’s turn and shot in the area was well saved by Will O’Sullivan.
HT 0-0
Ben Priest finished from close range at the start of the second half following a Darlaston free kick. Things got worse for the Pitmen when Michael Williams handled the ball, conceding a penalty which was tucked away by Lewis Gill to extend the home side’s lead. In the 79th minute Dan Crane handled the ball outside of his area and was duly dismissed leaving the Pitmen with a mountain to climb. Jack Kelly did manage to hit the woodwork with a free kick, but substitute Louis Baker finished the scoring to give Darlaston a deserved 3-0 win.
After the game Danny Glover commented; “I am disappointed, I watched Darlaston on Wednesday night and we knew exactly what to expect and did not deal with it. We are a new group and consistency is something you have to build as individuals and as a unit. We let ourselves down in the second half, Darlaston were well drilled and better than us, the lads have got to learn quickly.”
Darlaston Town; O’Sullivan, Harrison, Hendricks, Priest, Podmore, Foreshaw, Gill, Rowland, Bishop (Baker 60), Miller (Manners 76), Mikidam (Wilkinson 46). Subs not used Clarkson, Gill, Mason, Lee.
Hednesford Town; Crane, Mendez-Jones, Kelly, Martin, Williams (Richards 81), Griffiths, Andrews, Thorley, Mardenborough, Dixon (Mayemba 66), Forbes (Wright 67). Subs not used Sang, Paddock, Bower, Gwilt
