Summary
George Langston smashed Hednesford into the third round of the FA Trophy with a dramatic late spot kick.
Team News
Boss Kelvin Davis made several changes to the side that put six past Morecambe last weekend.
Sam Hornby returned to the starting lineup in place of Will Murdock.
Joel Taylor and Niall Maher were the fullbacks with George Langston partnered Aaron Hayden in the centre of defence.
The midfield pivot of Liam Kinsella and Jai Curran-Nicholls remained.
Mottley-Henry made way for Sonny Sharples on the left as Will Merry kept his place in the side.
Up top, Dave Abimbola started alongside Jamie Cooke.
Report:
The Pitmen started on the front foot but somehow didn’t find themselves ahead after a dominant first 45.
Will Merry had the best opportunity after 17 minutes as he drove through the centre of the pitch before he was brought down in the box for a penalty, though he was unable to dispatch from 12 yards.
Hednesford continued to search for an opener through Dave Abimbola who latched onto a wonderful cross from Joel Taylor before poking just wide of Michael Johnson’s goal 31 minutes in.
Despite the one-way traffic, Hemel could’ve took the lead against the run of play after Marshall Francis blazed over from close range.
The hosts thought they had finally taken the lead in first half stoppage time through a glancing header from Niall Maher but the linesman chalked it off for offside.
Hednesford continued to push forwards in the second half.
Jamie Cooke pounced on a short clearance from Johnson but the latter recovered to make a strong stop as was Abimbola unable to put home the rebound.
With two minutes left, both sides had a massive opportunity to put themselves in front. Dylan Mottley-Henry raced away down the right and looked for all the world that he would score only to see his effort drag past the post.
One minute later, Jesse Effa found himself one-on-one with Sam Hornby but the Pitmen shot stopper made a remarkable save at the feet of the Hemel attacker.
Deep into stoppage time with the game looking like it would be decided on penalties, Mottley-Henry was taken down in the box by Francis and it would be unlikely hero George Langston to hammer home and put Hednesford into the next round.
Lineups:
Hednesford Town: Hornby, Taylor (Williams 87), Langston, Hayden, Cooke, Kinsella, Abimbola, Curran-Nicholls (Mottley-Henry 63), Sharples, Merry, Maher (Morgan 73)
Subs not used: Murdock, Ward
Hemel Hempstead – Johnson, Dowrich, Ramirez-Espain, Quansah, Francis, Williams, Tuck (Semakula 46), Francis, Cook, Effa, Green
Subs not used: Taylor, Pitblado, Steele, Tabor
