Tuesday 28th January will see Hednesford Town continue this season’s Birmingham Senior Cup campaign when National League side Solihull Moors visit Keys Park for a third round tie. With both teams being given a bye in the first round their second round games saw Hednesford beat Coleshill 3-1 with goals from Sion Spence (2) and Zidan Sutherland while Solihull won 2-1 at Lye Town, Ackeme Francis-Burrell and Tyler Bruck scoring. The winners of the game will join Burton Albion, Redditch United, Tamworth, Birmingham City, Racing Club Warwick, Aston Villa and one from Coventry City/Stourbridge/Dudley Town in the fourth round.
The Birmingham Senior Cup was first played for in 1876/77 when Wednesbury Old Athletic beat Stafford Road in the final and the present holders are Aston Villa who beat Racing Club Warwick 9-0 in last season’s final. Solihull Moors have appeared in the final twice, a 0-2 defeat to West Bromwich Albion in 2011/12 and a 2-1 win over Birmingham City in 2015/16. Hednesford Town have won the competition three times beating Burton Town 2-1 in 1935/36, Stourbridge 2-0 in 2008/09 and Sutton Coldfield 4-1 in 2012/13 and have been runners-up twice, 0-3 against Walsall in 1993/94 and 1-2 versus Stourbridge in 2017/18.
In the previous round both sides fielded a mix of first team and academy players, and this is expected to be the case this time. Hednesford have several players who will undertake late fitness tests while Solihull will be looking to impress new manager Matt Taylor who took over from Barrow bound Andy Whing last week. However, new signing Nathan Blissett will be available for Hednesford. The 34 year old played for Bromsgrove Sporting last season after also turning out for Torquay United, Plymouth Argyle, Solihull Moors and Maidenhead United amongst others. He had a loan spell at Keys Park from Kidderminster Harriers in 2013/14 scoring three goals in nine appearances.
Pitmen manager Gavin Hurren is looking forward to the game: “This promises to be an exciting and challenging encounter. Solihull Moors are a club I know well, having had the privilege of playing there during my career”
Reduced admission applies on Tuesday with £5 for adults, £2 for 17/18s, concessions, disabled with carer and U16s while U10s will be admitted free. All under 16s have to be accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets can be pre-booked via the Fanbase app or by cash or card on the appropriate turnstile and a reduced matchday programme will be on sale.
