Tamworth 1 Hednesford Town 2 - Report

The Pitmen made the short journey down the A5 for a first round clash at The Lamb with Tamworth.

Pitmen manager Rob Smith had a number of selection headaches due to injury and illness and gave debuts to James Fitzgibbons and Alfie Crooks.

Tamworth kicked off a cagey opening 15 minutes to the game, with both teams keeping players behind the ball.

Joey Butlin had the first opportunity to get his name on the score sheet when he volleyed a deep cross into the Tamworth area over the bar.

The home side's only clear cut chance in the first half came from a Connor Taylor shot just wide of James Wren's left post.

A mazy run from Checkaine Steele from the half way line drew a save from Jezeph.

The best chance of the half came when Fitzpatrick's corner on the right was met with a thunderous header from Jimmy Muttons drawing an excellent reflex save from the Tamworth keeper.

It would be Tamworth who would take the lead in the 54th minute in almost comical circumstances when an Alex Melbourne back pass wrong footed James Wren with the ball crossing the goal line by a matter of inches.

Tamworth were unable to finish the game off as they pressed for a second goal.

With ten minutes remaining Hednesford committed players forward and a deep Tom Thorley cross from the right was headed home by Reece King.

As the game headed towards a penalty shootout, Sam Coulson needlessly conceded a throw in adjacent to the Tamworth area.

Ben Bailey launched a trademark long throw into the box, with Reece King aiming a low header past Jezeph for his second of the night to send The Pitmen into the second round.

Teams

Tamworth: Jezeph, Burns, Strong (Hayden 85 mins) Deeney (c), Cousin, Upton, Fox (Knights 72), Shaw, Reid, Taylor, Cutlery. Subs not used Jones, Powell, Walters

Hednesford Town: Wren, Thorley, Melbourne, Bailey, Mutton, King, Steele (Crooks 81), Fitzpatrick, Butlin (Oji 86), Graham, Fitzgibbons (Glover 78) Subs not used Viega