FA Cup: Hednesford Town 4 Gainsborough Trinity 4 (4-5 pens) - Report
Hednesford Town’s remarkable FA Cup run has come to an end, losing to Gainsborough Trinity after extra-time and 18 penalties after blowing a three goal lead, writes Luke Powell.
After an hour, it seemed as though the Pitmen were cruising into the second round for the first time in more than 25 years. However, a comeback for the ages from Gainsborough sent the match to extra-time.
After the teams were taken off the pitch due to an incident after Gainsborough’s equaliser where Hednesford supporters ran onto the surface, Dominic McHale thought he had fired home a winner five-minutes into extra-time to send Hednesford through. However, Javelle Clarke had other ideas.
Just shy of 4,000 fans packed inside Keys Park as the two lowest ranked side’s left in the competition came together.
The Pitmen’s route to the first round - for the first time in 11 years - was already somewhat extraordinary given they have played in each stage of the competition since August 3 - six rounds and 9 matches, including three replays.
But, shockwaves were sent around the Midlands non-league scene this week as the man responsible for leading Hednesford into the first round - Steve King - was relieved of his duties, just less than 48 hours before the momentus cup tie.
Experienced coach Martin Hunter stepped in as interim manager while former Walsall Wood boss Ian Long was in attendance.
Hednesford enjoyed a dream start as Manny Duku earned his side the lead inside just five-minutes.
Keys Park erupted as Daniel Trickett-Smith raced through on goal facing Dylan Wharton in front of him, but squared it to the lone Duku who was able to convert easily into the empty net.
And, in a crazy start, fitting of the occasion, Fraser Preston shaved the woodwork for the away side with his curling effort.
Supporters packed into the Heath Hayes End roared the Pitmen on as they put on a show and continued their perfect start as Omar Holness extended their lead inside 21-minutes.
The midfielder found the top-left corner from the edge of the box after well-worked play on the right side to put daylight between them the Holy Blues.
A clinical and impressive first-half gave the Pitmen a half-time lead, and they were grateful for Jack Rose and his superb stop at the near post to deny Jordan Helliwell.
After the break, the home side’s dream tie continued, as after Duku hammered the post with his effort from a corner, Dominic McHale made no mistake with his effort just more than a minute later to make it 3-0.
Hednesford’s Joel Taylor escaped with just a yellow card for his firm challenge with half-an-hour to go before Gainsborough pulled their first goal back through Declan Howe and his composed finish after an incredible run by Javelle Clarke.
And after piling on the pressure, Howe claimed his and the Holy Blues’ second with another composed finish with 13-minutes to go before the comeback was completed during seven-minutes of additional time thanks to a Will Lancaster wonder-strike off the crossbar.
Five-minutes into extra-time, Dominic McHale became a hero temporarily, netting his second and Hednesford’s fourth goal in remarkable fashion to regain his side the lead.
But, Javelle Clarke was able to equalise again for Gainsborough and make it 4-4 to send the indescribable tie to penalties.
After 18 spot kicks, Hednesford were dumped out of the competition as.
Penalties:
Hednesford
Stevenson - scored
Hornshaw - scored
Bearne - missed (saved)
Holness - scored
Taylor - misses
Gwilt - scored
Spence - missed
Johnson - missed (saved)
Holywell - missed (saved)
Gainsborough
Cogill - missed
Tutulwala - scored
Bobby Johnson - missed
Stacey - scored
Lancaster - scored
Hornhaw - scored
Preston - missed (saved)
Clarke - missed (saved)
Helliwell - scored
