> 25.11.2008

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Super Hednesford marched into the first round proper of the F.A. Trophy this evening, hammering higher league opponents in the form of a poor Hyde side. Manager Dean Edwards, still smarting from a number of missed opportunities to finish the tie off on Saturday, made only one change to his starting line-up, with Tom Marshall shaking off the injury that had sidelined him during the warm-up. Scott Stamps moved to the bench

Hyde started well, looking to take the initiative as the higher-placed side in the pyramid. An early effort by Adam Oakes tested Stuart Brock's reflexes and reactions, with the Hednesford keeper conceding a corner in the process

The Pitmen responded with a chance for Saturday's scorer Ross Dyer, who got on the end of a cross from the impressive Sam Hall, but could only place his shot straight at Hyde keeper Craig Dootson

Dootson was again called into action on eight minutes, getting behind a piledriver from Marshall, who picked the ball up fully thirty yards out before unleashing a powerful shot

A couple of Hednesford were on the end of some rough treatment from the Hyde players, with both Decio Gomes and Elliott Durrell grounded early on after some heavy challenges

The home side swept into a fourteenth minute lead in fortuitous circumstances; Hall was again busy down the Hednesford right hand side, crossing towards the onrushing Dyer and Tyrone Barnett, but only finding Hyde's Steve Williams. His attempted clearance on the volley only succeeded in flying past Dootson and into the net

The hosts had their tails up, believing that could defeat a Blue Square North side on their own turf. Ross Draper was his usual busy self, making a burst into the area and forcing Dootson into a good save with a low shot that almost created an opening for Dyer and Chad Sheppard

The visitors were making very little impression on the Pitmen's backline, with Brock saving a bobbled effort from Simm mid-way through the half

Durrell had struggled to shake off the injury sustained earlier in the game, and had to be withdrawn just before the half hour mark, with Mark Briggs replacing him in midfield

Hyde's defence seemed to be forgetting that Christmas is another month away, as they very nearly handed the Pitmen another present on the half hour. Former York City manager Chris Brass, chasing back towards his own goal, turned Dyer's cross against his own post with Dootson stranded in the middle of the goal. Barnett's shot from the rebound was cleared away by a desperate Hyde defence

Skipper Ross Draper, who had an excellent first half at Ewen Fields before fading in the second half, was back on the goal trail three minutes later, out-muscling a Hyde defender before firing confidently past Dootson from inside the area

There was only one side in it up to the break, as the Hednesford attack put the creaking Hyde defence under severe pressure. Another contribution from Hall, this time heading on to Dyer, set up the striker to head at Dootson, who managed to get something behind the header. Briggs picked up the rebound but fired way over the bar

Dyer was causing chaos in the Hyde ranks with his movement, and he could have added to his season's tally just before half time, passing the ball towards goal after a cross from Adam Burley, but narrowly missing the target

If the cry at half time had been 'don't let up', then it was a well-heeded one, as the Pitmen went further in front just seconds after the restart. Marshall's raking ball forward found Dyer, who did what he does best - beat the Hyde defence for pace, before dancing round Dootson and slotting home

Hyde were in retreat, looking to limit the damage caused. They allowed the Pitmen to play in front of them, and tried to tighten up their leaky defence. It failed to stop the flow of goals, however, as the hosts grabbed a fourth goal right on the hour mark. Draper's ball found Barnett on the corner of the penalty area, allowing the striker time to pick his spot and hit a great shot into the net, via a slight deflection off a Hyde defender

Chances kept coming for the Pitmen, with Briggs missing a great opportunity from close range, firing against the post after being set up by the unselfish actions of Barnett

Draper was guilty of a poor miss on seventy minutes, firing high over the Hednesford end after the ball had dropped to him via a despairing clearance away form goal from a Hyde defender

With a difficult trip to FC United of Manchester on Saturday, Edwards decided to make two changes, with Chad Sheppard and Burley both being replaced

Barnett almost got the Pitmen's fifth goal fourteen minutes from time, volleying over the bar after being set up courtesy of a superb ball from Briggs

Dyer and Barnett had had the Hyde defenders chasing shadows all evening, and Barnett almost capped a great night with another goal, but blazed over after Dyer had laid the ball off to him

As it was, it was the influential Hall who got the fifth goal of the evening right at the end. He picked the ball up just outside the area, and fired a low shot past Dootson to seal a fantastic victory for the Pitmen over their Blue Square North opponents

Next up in the Trophy is a home tie with Nantwich Town - just rewards for a well-earned win over the two games for Dean and Matt's side   cds

FC Utd of Manchester (A)

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1

Maguire

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Platt

Briggs

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1

     1

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1

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63

Durrell

Burley

.15

Sheppard

.16

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