Horsfield Leads Vale As Pitmen Seen Off

Veteran striker Geoff Horsfield put The Pitmen to the sword in Bernard McNally’s first game in charge as permanent manager with two first half goals as Port Vale showed their class and advanced to the Staffs Senior Cup Semi Final.

Hednesford started the brighter of the two sides with Ross Dyer testing Joe Anyon inside two minutes. Eliott Durrell and Sam Adkins tried their luck from distance but the young goalkeeper confidently repelled their efforts.

From the twenty-third minute until half-time Port Vale showed real class as Horsfield finished well past Liam Flynn, right-back Sam Morsey looped a shot over the keeper after a skilful run and the impressive Danny Glover set up Horsfield for his second.

The Pitmen were chasing shadows for much of the period but a Sean Platt penalty in first half stoppage time gave the home fans a glimmer of hope.

Anyon saved superbly from Adkins minutes after the restart and Dyer headed over from the resulting corner but it was a lightning quick run down the flank by Morsy which set up Doug Loft for Vales fourth goal.

Hednesford acquitted themselves very well and showed encouraging team spirit to keep the score respectable and despite Glover capping his performance with a goal The Pitmen grabbed a deserved second goal after with an Adkins indirect free kick.

Hednesford continue their league campaign with an away trip down the M4 to Swindon on Saturday and then welcome local rivals Halesowen to Keys Park on Saturday 6^th February.

Hednesford Town

Flynn, Platt (45), Gibson, Bailey, Dunkley, Goodhead, Durrell (Overton 85), Chapman (Brannan 56), Barnett (Alexander 61), Dyer, Adkins (87),

Subs Not Used

Martin, Osborne,

Port Vale

Anyon, Morsy (36) (Bell 71), Taylor, Howland, McCombe, Prosser, Chapman, Loft (51), Horsefield (23, 43) (Malbon 56), Glover (80), Lawrie,

Subs Not Used

Bratt, Beeston, Lloyd-Western,

Bookings

Durrell, Anyon, Morsy, Horsfield, McCombe, Loft,

Star Man – Geoff Horsfield

Attendance - 150

Words By Chris Brewerton