On Tuesday 14th November for the first time in over 40 years Hednesford will take part in the Walsall Senior Cup when Darlaston 1874 visit Keys Park for their First-Round encounter.
Since World War II, Hednesford have reached the final of this competition on two occasions. In 1964 they lost 0-3 to Blakenall and in 1977 lost 0-1 to the same opponents while Darlaston 1874 in their previous guise as Darlaston Town reached the final in 1973, losing 0-1 to Bilston Town.
The cup competition itself started back in 1878 when it was known as The Licensed Victuallers Cup and nine teams entered the inaugural competition which was won by Walsall Swifts who defeated Walsall Institute (Caldmore)3-2 in the final at Gorway Fields, now better known as Walsall Cricket Club. The present holders are Rushall Olympic who beat Walsall 3-1 in last season’s final at the Poundland Stadium.
We only need to look back to the 19th of August this season to find the last meeting between Hednesford Town and Darlaston 1874 when three second half goals from Ben Priest, Lewis Gill and Louis Baker knocked The Pitmen out of the FA Cup in the Preliminary Round. Before the weekend’s games Darlaston 1874 were in sixth place in the Midland League Premier Division with 20 points from 11 games and five wins, five draws and just one defeat. They were 12 points behind leaders Congleton Town but with four games in hand.
Tuesday’s game kicks off at 7.45pm with reduced admission prices of £5 adults, £4 concessions, U16s £1
