On Tuesday 7th January Hednesford Town will play their first game in this season’s Staffordshire Senior Cup when they welcome Kidsgrove Athletic to Keys Park for a First Round tie. Kidsgrove have already played in the competition, beating North West Counties Division One side Eccleshall 5-0 in the preliminary round back in October with goals from Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi (2), Ernest Ofusu and Dan Holdcroft (2). They also made the journey to Keys Park in August for a NPL West game, winning 2-1, Adu-Gyamfi scoring both goals after Matt Rhead was sent off just before half time. Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi is their leading scorer with 10 league goals, the same as Manny Duku, Dom McHale and Dan Trickett-Smith.
Both clubs are previous winners of the Staffs Senior Cup. Hednesford have won it on three occasions, 3-1 against Kidderminster Harriers in 1969/70, 2-1 against Stoke City in 1973/74 and 5-1 against Rushall Olympic in 2012/13. They have also been beaten finalists in 1992/93 (1-6 v Stoke City) and in 2017/18 (2-3 v Stafford Rangers). Kidsgrove have appeared in the final seven times, winning it five times, 1-0 in 2003/04 against Stafford Rangers after extra time, 6-1 in 2006/07 against Rushall Olympic, 4-3 on penalties after extra time and a 2-2 draw against Stafford Rangers in 2008/09, 1-0 against Stoke City in 2010/11 and 1-0 against Rushall Olympic in 2011/12 while losing twice, 0-3 to Rocester in 2007/08 and 1-4 to Rushall Olympic in 2015/16. Rushall are the current holders of the cup, having beaten Leek Town 1-0 last season.
Manager Gavin Hurren was happy with the team’s performance against Nantwich and had this to say ahead of the game “We’ve got a few injuries, so we’ll be looking to get one or two in, but they have to be the right person for this football club. This gives a chance to some of the Development Squad who will play on Tuesday alongside some of the first team”.
Josh Endall had a sickness bug and missed Saturday’s game along with Jake Jervis and Dan Trickett-Smith. Rob Stevenson remains on the injury list.
Admission on Tuesday night will be £5 adults, £2 concessions/10-18, U10s free with all under 16s having to be accompanied by a paying adult. Kick off is 7.45pm.
