Tuesday 11th February 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, originally due to be played in January only to be postponed due to a waterlogged pitch. With the recent wet weather both clubs will be hoping that Tuesday’s game doesn’t suffer the same fate.
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 (currently on loan at Stafford Rangers) and Tyler Bruck scoring. The winners of the game will join Burton Albion, Redditch United, Tamworth, Birmingham City, Racing Club Warwick, Aston Villa and either Coventry City or 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 a2-1 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 will be without Rob Stevenson, Chris Hussey and Omar Holness but Jake Jervis and Elliott Johnson are nearing fitness. Solihull will be looking to impress new manager Matt Taylor who took over from Andy Whing recently and is still awaiting his first win.
Pitmen manager Gavin Hurren is looking forward to the game: “We will be playing against one of my old clubs and we will assess the players who need minutes along with the guys coming back from injury”.
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.
