Pitmen Dig Deep For Cup Win - Hednesford Town vs. Barwell

Huge pitch length terrace at Keys Park

Unoriginal title I know. Back in England, it was FA Cup weekend again and I had originally planned to see Kettering host Sutton Coldfield but the bus times weren't great so I took advantage of the cheap advance train tickets and opted for Hednesford Town against Barwell. This was only ten miles south of my previous does of FA Cup action at Stafford and the home team again played in black and white. Hednesford went into this tie against their fellow Southern League Central side top of the league and were yet to concede this month. I saw Barwell at Bedworth at the end of last season where they won one nil and there were in mid table.

Kick off in The Second Qualifying Round

Barwell take an early lead as they put together an excellent passing move which puts the attacker in front of goal and he makes no mistake. Just before half time a ball towards the back post finds the Hednesford man who nods past the keeper.

The Barwell keeper claims a first half cross

Early in the second half, Barwell are reduced to ten men as the man gets a second yellow for tripping a Hednesford player who had got past him on the wing. From the resulting free kick, the ball eventually makes it way to the back post and the Hednesford player slots home for two one. Barwell however aren't downhearted and when there is a coming together between the onrushing keeper and the Barwell attacker the visitors take advantage and knock it into the empty net. Hednesford waste chance after chance and it looks like the ten men may hang on only for them to concede late in the half again. A looping ball isn't dealt with and the ball is hammered home from close range to seal the win.

Hednesford pushing for a late winner

There are direct trains from London to Hednesford but these take nearly three hours. On the way out I took the train to Rugley Trent Valley and changed their for Hednesford taking a mere two and a half hours. However due to track issues at Birmingham New Street on the return I had no choice but to take the slow train. Like Stafford, Hednesford had some fantastic pubs. Both The Bridge Inn and Cross Keys were exceptional having at least five ales on as well as the sports channels. Keys Park is about twenty minutes from the station and the clubhouse had a better than usual selection of drinks. On the way back I popped into the craft beer hotbed Kraftt which had an excellent selection of cans
for the slow trawl home. Special mention has to go to the brilliant programme.

Last throes of summer at Keys Park