EDWARDS BRACE ENSURES PITMEN PROGRESS IN CUP

After winning 3-1 away at a rain swept Kidsgrove Athletic the Pitmen moved into the next round of the League Cup and will play Skelmersdale United at Keys Park next Tuesday evening.

The game only got the go ahead at 7.00pm as the pitch was waterlogged in places but with both teams eager to get the game played the Referee decided to start the game but advised both captains that he would abandon the game if the pitch became dangerous.

New signing Jamie Maxston failed to find the ground despite getting as far as the edge of Stoke after leaving London at 2.30pm so it meant a late recall for Elliott Durrell who was originally selected as sub for the game.

The wind and rain made it difficult for both teams to settle and the conditions did not help Stuart Brock in the sixth minute when a deep cross from the left by Kidsgrove's Tom Schwartz was met by Tom Moss whose header went straight through the Pitmen keepers hands and into the net to give the Division One south side the lead.

Ross Draper back in the team after serving a two match ban made a driving run forward slipping a pass forward to Luke Edwards who had shaken off his marker but as broke down the middle he was stopped by the referee's whistle as he had been in an offside position.

Anthony Maguire playing on the right played a good ball forward for Durrell who whipped in a firm low cross which evaded everyone in the goal mouth and was cleared from the far side.

Durrell must have wished he was sitting on the bench in the twelfth minute when he was clattered to the ground by Adam Beasley who received a caution. Durrell joined Beasley in the book shortly after when he made a rash challenge on former Pitman Tim Sanders.

Moss had a good chance to increase Kidsgrove's lead in the 26th minute when Ben Harbutt's clearance was headed back for Moss who was clear on the edge of the box but he hit his shot straight at Brock who parried the ball away.

In the 29th minute Mark Briggs was allowed to run with the ball from the half way line and from 30 yards he suddenly hit a firm shot which moved in the air which did not help Adam Wilkes the home team keeper as the ball bounced off his chest. Dominic Musafiri was the first to react and scored the equalising goal from close range.

The Pitmen took the lead three minutes later after Anthony Maguire's cross from the right was only half cleared straight to Luke Edwards who from the edge of the box hit a low firm shot through a crowded goalmouth to place the ball inside the left hand post.

The goal must have upset the home team as Edwards was the recipient of a poor challenge by Matt Elder who was only spoken to by the Referee which did not impress Dean Edwards. Elliott Durrell took the resulting free kick from the left hand touch line which was missed by all in the Kidsgrove box and bounced inches wide of the right hand post.

Kidsgrove had chances to equalise just before half time. In the 39th minute a Beasley free kick from 35 yards went straight to a well positioned Brock then a minute later Danny Skelton glanced a header onto the crossbar from a good cross in from the right. In added on time another Beasley free kick created problems but the Pitmen had a let off when Craig Dove making a late run in at the back post missed his header from close range.

Early in the second half a quick break by Durrell and Sam Hall saw Durrell place another good cross into the box which on this occasion the keeper had to tip over for a corner. The corner was cleared but only to Maguire whose cross into the box bounced in front of Musafiri which did not help him as he hit his shot from six yards over the crossbar.

After failing to clear the back line the defence was nearly made to pay in the 60th minute by Craig Dove who went close with a shot then shortly after Tim Sanders was in a good position to take a through ball but he failed to control the ball and the chance was lost.

A training ground free kick move came to nothing after Durrell was fouled on the edge of the box just as he was about to shoot. Instead of shooting for goal Marshall played the ball sideways for Draper but the ball over ran forcing Draper to shoot from an acute angle which lead to the ball going high over the crossbar.

Edwards showed good awareness when a simple back heel put Durrell free, he went on to shoot from 20 yards forcing Wilkes to force the ball away for a corner.

Tom Marshall had one of his moments in the 75th minute when he took the ball from his own half and with the goal within his sights he attempted a shot which he pulled wide of the right hand post.

Ben Harbutt did well to make a last ditch tackle to deny Sanders after he had made a good attacking run which was to be his last action of the game as he was shortly substituted by Jordan Gayle

The win was confirmed in the 82nd minute when a quick break down the right saw Durrell get down to the right hand bye-line where he pulled the ball back into the six yard box for Luke Edwards to slide in and touch the ball home.

Edwards was denied a hat trick when he followed up Durrell's 89th minute chip over the keeper to slam the ball into the net, Unfortunately he was ruled offside, if he had left the ball Durrell would have made it four.

Kidsgrove Athletic

Wilkes, Smith, Dove, Schwartz, Shinton, Elder, Matranga, Beasley, Moss (Dunn 75), Skelton, Sanders (Gayle 79),Subs not used: White, Bridge

Hednesford Town

Brock, Maguire, Burley, Draper, Harbutt, Marshall,Hall,Briggs,Durrell, Musafiri, Edwards. Subs not used; Maxston, Dyer

Referee Mr P.P.Davies (Lymm)

Attendance 92