TOWN PUT IN A BIG CUP SHIFT!

By Andy Mitchell

SHIFNAL TN 0

HEDNESFORD 0

CLOSE ENCOUNTER: Shifnal’s Joe Thomas, left, holds off Dom McHale

PICTURE: Mike Sheridan

EX-PREMIER League playmaker Elliott Bennett whacked the bar as Shifnal Town went within a whisker of another FA Cup upset.

The 35-year-old anchored the midfield with brother and captain Kyle as the Step 5 side went toe-to-toe with ambitious NPL Division One West Hednesford every step of the way.

For all of the latest odds on the FA Cup and other competitions around the world, check out SBK Bonus for more.

Kory Roberts had rattled the same crossbar for the Pitmen seven minutes in but while Steve King’s charges had plenty of the play, that was as good as it got in front of goal.

Shifnal midfielder Kevin Monteiro had two good chances, glancing wide a lifted ball to the back post in the 32nd minute before having a low prod towards goal smothered by keeper Jack Rose having been slipped into the box early in the second half – the ammunition was provided by the lively Joe Thomas on each occasion.

Long-distance efforts from Hednesford’s Dom McHale and Manny Duku – who played his part in Maidstone United’s famous FA Cup win at Ipswich Town last season – flew well off target, teeing up the sucker punch that Bennett so nearly provided five minutes from time.

Picking up a half-cleared ball on the edge of the box, the ex-Norwich City man wrapped his foot around a shot that arced over Rose but came back off the bar with substitute Tom Hill unable to adjust to latch onto the rebound.

“The lads did everything that was asked of them, they were superb,” said Shifnal boss Connor Patterson.

“We had the better chances in the game, and a better hold of it over the 90 minutes.

“I talk to the lads all the time about ruthlessness and taking chances, unfortunately that one didn’t quite drop in but there are so many positives to take out of it.

“We told the lads not to play the occasion, to play their game, be themselves and do what they do best without worrying about who is watching.

“We are full of confidence for the replay having seen what we did against them – we will be giving it our all (in the replay) on Tuesday.”

Hednesford boss King said it had been “the right result”.

“It is the FA Cup. I have been at the end of knocking out top-end teams before, no team has a divine right to get through,” the former Gloucester City boss said.

“They are fighting for the same thing as us and total respect and credit to Shifnal, they had a go.

“We have no given right to dictate and dominate the game just because we are from a higher level, you have to earn that right and we have another opportunity.”

STAR MAN: Kory Roberts (Hednesford)

ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★