Lockmen unable to find the key against the Pitmen

The Pitmen and the Lockmen of Willenhall finally played the much delayed BCFA Senior Cup tie which even on the morning of the game was again in doubt because of the heavy overnight rain fall.

Ross Dyer who has failed to find the net for the last five games had a chance to get back onto the score sheet in the 5^th minute after Sam Hall made an attacking run down the left wing, he cut along the bye-line then played the ball back to Dyer who skied his effort over the Heath Hayes end stand.

Ross Draper was fouled half way in the Lockmen’s half by Scott Stevenson, Sam Hall stepped up to take the free kick which he hit straight in to the defensive wall. The Pitmen were starting to play the ball around the pitch and after a good move Sean Platt caused a promising move to break down when he overhit his pass for Tyrone Barnett.

The nightmare for Dyer in front of the goal continued in the 15^th minute when Tyrone Barnett set him up for a shot which he again sent over the stand roof. Barnett who has not found the net since mid January did not trouble Luke Tilt in the visitors goal when his attempted header in the 23^rd minute looped up high and wide.

Sam Hall went close to putting Dyer in the clear when his pass over the back line allowed the striker to use his pace to chase the ball but Tilt was alert to the danger and raced off his line to kick clear.

Willenhall’s Justin Niblett who was the subject of an seven day approach from the Pitmen earlier in the season opened the scoring in the 26^th minute when he hit a firm low shot from the right of the penalty area into the far side of the net.

Draper went close to puling a goal straight back when he stabbed the ball wide from the edge of the penalty area., then at the other end Stuart Brock had to collect an attempted lob from Stevenson

The Pitmen drew level in the 30^th minute when Ross Draper robbed Brendan Kelly half way in the visitors half. He took the ball on and as Luke Tilt came off his line to close the angle Draper placed the ball past him and into the left hand side of the net.

Tyrone Barnett was substituted after the goal by Duane Darby as he appeared to be limping due to an earlier injury and with a three match ban now to serve he will have the time to regain his fitness in time for the away match at Guiseley.

Despite only flying back from America less than 24 hours before the game the Pitmen keeper was alert to the danger coming down the Lockmen’s left wing. Lee Chilton, the Lockmen’s captain played a good forward pass inside the box for Naveed Arshad but Brock was off his line to dive at Arshad’s feet to collect the ball.

Early in the second half a rare mistake by Ben Harbutt gave Stevenson a chance to run towards goal but the Willenhall player hit his shot from 20yards over the crossbar.

Durrell who replaced the injured Mark Briggs in the 53^rd minute went close with a couple of shots from outside of the box with Willenhall’s best second half effort coming from a looping shot from the left hand touch line by Craig Milligan which Brock took underneath his crossbar with his feet standing on the line.

Dyer was cautioned with two minutes of normal time to go for a tackle on Milligan then after the two teams had failed to find a winner the game moved into extra time.

In the first period of the second half a chance fell to Dyer when a ball from the left landed at the striker’s feet but before he could gain control of the ball a defender came in to kick clear. With the first half of extra time approaching Draper had a goal disallowed for handball during the build up.

With the game heading for penalties the deadlock was finally broken in the 113rd minute when Durrell broke into the box having beaten two defenders to unleash a firm low shot into the net which was almost a carbon copy of Nisbett’s earlier in the game.

Durrell still had time to attempt a 25 yard lob which went over the crossbar and as the game was coming to an end Willenhall’s Stevenson swivelled inside the penalty area to hit a cross from the left wide of the right hand post.

Duane Darby was cautioned for dissent in the final minute after arguing for a free kick which had not been given against him. In the end the Pitmen held onto the win and can now travel to Marine on Saturday a little more confident after finally getting an overdue victory under their belt.

Hednesford Town

Brock, Platt (Bandurak 83), Maguire,Harbutt, Harvey, Marshall, Hall, Briggs (Durrell 53), Barnett (Darby 30), Dyer, Draper Subs not used: Lewis, Rathbone

Willenhall Town

Tilt, Davies, Milligan, Kelly, Lycett, Saunders, Nisbett, Stevenson, May, Arshad (Hawkins 112), Chilton. Subs not used: Griffiths, Cunnington

Referee Mr E.Smart (Birmingham)

Attendance 138

RodH