Four-midable Collieries book their place in cup final

After a goalless first half Michael Clegg’s men ran away with Thursday’s tie after the break to set up a final against Coalville Town.

Colls had seen off Skelmersdale, Bamber Bridge, Scarborough and Ramsbottom, and it got no easier for Colls at a former Conference outfit but it was Hednesford that struggled to cope with their visitors’ early pressure.

The stand-out opportunity of the first half came on 27 minutes, with yet another side struggling to deal with the threat of Jordan Cover. A threaded ball played him in with Hednesford defender Sam Oji, the sole defender, pulling his hamstring to leave Cover in the clear. He squared to Dave Sherlock who was denied by James Wren’s save.

Although the Pitmen grew into the game, Colls almost took the lead at the end of the half, Ben Hardcastle’s shot cleared off the line and, in the ensuing chaos, Danny Lafferty blazing over.

It took Colls just two minutes of the second half to edge ahead though, as Cover latched onto another through ball. This time he went it alone and produced an unerring finish into the top right-hand corner of Wren’s goal.

Minutes later a set-piece brought Colls’ second goal, scored by long-serving captain Brad Cooke with an unstoppable header at a corner.

With 20 minutes remaining, Colls sealed their spot in the final with a third goal, Cover capitalising on a slip by his marker to slot in with ease, with the Pitmen’s Charlie Gatter red-carded for his protests.

The now-depleted Hednesford gave themselves a lifeline. A push by Matt Grimshaw allowing Danny Glover to beat Greg Hartley from the penalty spot and make it 3-1.

Collieries ensured they had the last word with a fourth goal. Wren charged from his goal to meet a long ball from the Atherton defence at the halfway line but his clearance landed straight at the feet of Hardcastle who passed into an empty net.

Colls then turned their attention to Evo-Stik North matters and on Saturday won 3-2 at Ossett Town.

With both sides in mid-table and the hosts about to merge with Ossett Albion, the sunshine added to the game’s end-of-season feel.

Colls had last visited the Ingfield Stadium back in September when they lost 1-0 in the FA Cup. This match was another tight encounter, with both sides cancelling each other out on numerous occasions.

Grimshaw cleared a goal-bound effort off the line and Hartley pulled off a smart double-save to keep the score 0-0 but, 10 minutes before half time, Colls led after Town keeper Leigh Overton was adjudged to have fouled Liam O’Neill and Adam Farrell slotted in from the spot.

Ossett were unlucky not to have equalised with the last action of the half when a brilliant overhead kick flew past Hartley into the bottom corner but an offside flag meant the visitors led 1-0 at the break.

However, it took barely a minute for the home side to equalise through Alex Peterson.

Colls’ response came on the hour mark, with Farrell netting his second of the game. Played through from midfield, he ghosted past his marker and poked his effort beyond the onrushing keeper and in.

Ossett came up with a second equaliser seven minutes later as Colls sat off in midfield and Jason Yates cut inside and beat Hartley with a fine finish.

Jack Kenny was introduced in place of Farrell with 10 minutes left.

The striker, who had missed the last 15 matches after a nasty injury in a collision with a perimeter fence at Colwyn Bay, was pulled back by a defender, resulting in Colls’ second penalty of the day. Hardcastle assumed the responsibility and beat Overton to give his side the lead for the third time, and one they would not surrender.

After hosting Hyde last night, Colls are next in action on Saturday when Tadcaster Albion are the visitors. Kick off is 3pm.

In the Hallmark Security League Daisy Hill climbed off the foot of the First Division table with a 1-0 win at home to Cheadle Town, Michael Gervin netting the game’s only goal. Atherton LR conceded a last-minute goal to lose 2-1 at home to Alsager Town.