On Tuesday 23rd January Hednesford will renew acquaintances with Tividale when they travel over to the Black Country for a Walsall Senior Cup tie. The two clubs’ paths crossed frequently when they were both members of the West Midlands (Regional) League. Between 1975 and Hednesford’s promotion to the Southern League in 1984 they played each other on 20 occasions, 18 in the league and twice in the League Cup. Hednesford have won 12 of those encounters with three draws and five Tividale victories, Hednesford scoring 35 goals and Tividale 32. Some notable results include a 4-0 League Cup win for Tividale in 1975/76 and a 5-3 league victory in 1981/82 with a 6-2 league win in 1978/789 for Hednesford thanks to goals from Archie King (2), Johnny Chester (2) and Kevin Lane and two 4-1 wins in 1975/76 and 1982/83.

The Hednesford squad will still be depleted by injury but will also be missing other players who are cup-tied. Ryan Boothe played for Boldmere St Michaels’ 1-4 defeat against Rushall Olympic while Hayden Reeves. Daniel Gyasi and Jai Verma all featured in Walsall Wood’s 4-1 win over Brocton although Keiron Boucher who was an unused sub in that game will be available.

A couple of ex-Pitmen are likely to feature for the home side in full back Lewis Wright and striker Dominic Dell who has eight goals in 25 appearances so far this season. Tividale have struggled in the Midland League Premier Division up to now and are currently in 17 th place, nine points clear of bottom marker Bewdley Town. They have played 17 games and have just three wins along with four draws and ten defeats with a goal difference of -17 giving them 13 points although they did beat step 4 Coleshill Town 4-3 in the previous round of the Walsall Senior Cup. Despite taking the lead through James Douglas, they found themselves 1-3 down after an hour but three goals in a seven-minute spell from Ryan Snape (pen), Zac Kourouyiami and Ewan Edwards saw them home. Hednesford find themselves at this stage of the competition thanks to a 3-0 win over Darlaston 1874.

Tividale play at The Beeches, Packwood Road, Tividale, Oldbury, West Midlands B69 1UL and parking is at a premium at and around the ground. The capacity is 2,800 with a 200-seater stand and clubhouse. Admission will be £7 adults, £4 concessions with U16s free if accompanied by a paying adult. Kick off will be at 7.45pm.