It started as an overcast day as the coaches gathered at Keys Park ready for the long
trip to Hull in this, the First Round of the FA Cup. Hednesford had not been required to
enter the qualifying rounds, this year, because of their performance last year when they
reached the Fourth Round, the first time in the history of the club.
The weather improved as we approached Hull and though still overcast it didn't rain.
The game kicked off in a vibrant atmosphere with the large Hednesford contingent obviously
looking for a repeat of last years FA Cup glory.
The Pitmen exerted the early pressure and looked confident of the task that lay ahead.
After 10 minutes, Joyce of Hull made a great run through the centre of mid-field and as he
chested the ball down in the penalty area, Comyn came across to make a sensational tackle
just as Joyce shaped up to shoot.
Hednesford were having the better of the game with O'Connor playing a one - two with
Beeston but failing to score. Hednesford's next chance came when O'Connor broke on the
right and swept a cross towards the back post which was met by Beeston but was headed high
over the crossbar.
A mistake on the half-hour by Hocking allowed Ware a clean shot inside the penalty area,
but instead of shooting Ware crossed to O'Connor and the opportunity was lost.
On the 37th minute the Pitmen gained a penalty after Darby tripped Beeston in the area.
Despite the Hull protest the referee stuck by his decision allowing Norbury to take an
excellent penalty past the Hull keeper Steve Wilson.
Throughout the game Hull were not given many chances to have a clear shot at the
Hednesford goal. The Hednesford defenders played brilliantly as did keeper Scott Cooksey.
Hull were frustrated by their inability to find the net and as the game progressed they
put more and more of their players forward in an attempt to salvage the situation. This
tactic came unstuck when, in the dying seconds of the game, Hednesford managed to clear
the ball to the half way line where Joe O'Connor was waiting to outrun his Hull shadow to
take it straight through to the Hull penalty area where he manoeuvered to shoot past the
lone keeper.
The referee blew for full time as soon as the ball had been kicked off following Joe's
goal.
A day that had started dull appeared as of mid summer, no one noticed, or cared, that it
was now dark and the second half had been played under floodlights.
Hednesford : Cooksey, Carty, Collins, Blades, Comyn, Beeston, Fitzpatrick, Ware, Norbury, Dennison, O'Connor. Subs : Niblett, Ntamark, Hemmings, Francis, Simpson.
Hull City : Wilson, Gage, Rioch, Wright, Greaves, Hocking, Peacock, Joyce, Darby, Hodges, Mann.Subs : Ellington, Thompson, Sewings, Brein, Lowthorpe.
Copyright � 1997 Dennis Dixon
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