FA Cup: Hednesford Town 0-0 Halesowen Town (5-3 on penalties) - Report and pictures
The Emirates FA Cup returned to the PRG Stadium at Keys Park for the second qualifying round tie between Hednesford Town and Halesowen Town. The Pitmen were dealt a blow prior to the game due to the absence of keeper Andy Wycherley due to injury, with player coach Jose Veiga standing in.
An entertaining and open first half saw both sides on the attack, testing each other's defences early on. Will Norcross saw the Pitmen's first half chance snuffed out before the lively looking Simeon Cobourne created danger at the opposite end. Danny Glover forced a decent save from Yeltz keeper Bradley Catlow, before a goal line scramble left the hosts wondering why they had not scored. Dan Turner went close from a set up from strike partner Glover, while Veiga effortlessly tipped Jamie Molyneux's shot round the post, before making a great stop from Cobourne.
Carter Lycett got on the end of a deep cross from Kieron Dawes, but again the Yeltz defence scrambled the ball away from the goal. The last action of the half say Ben Bailey make an excellent tackle to prevent Cobourne taking his aim in the Pitmen area.
The second half continued in a similar style to the first, lots of effort and commitment but neither side finding the vital pass in the final third of the pitch. Veiga thwarted Cobourne again before Catlow came ot of his area to beat Turner to the ball. A great combination from Glover and Turner gave Jack Hallahan the chance for a winner, but he blasted over the bar.
At 90 minutes the game went straight to penalties. The first seven kicks went in, leaving Hednesford trailing 4-3 when Lee Smith saw his spot kick saved by Bradley Catlow. George Forsyth stepped up to win the shootout 5-3 for Halesowen Town
Teams
Hednesford Town; Veiga, Norcross (Smith 26), Lycett, Bailey, Mendez-Jones, Thompson, Griffiths, Hallahan (Sweeney 87) Glover, Dawes (Cater 68), Turner. Subs; Preston, Dodd, Woakes, Campbell-Gordon.
Halesowen Town; Catlow, Forsyth, Bowen (Manning 79), Ali, McCone, Carter, Hewitt, Bunn, Cobourne, Molyneux (Gregory 60), Hawker (Holmes 74). Subs; Parsons, Westwood, Yates.
