Rob Smith hopes lucrative cup run is putting smile on chairman's face

Hednesford recorded their first home win of the season with a 2-0 win over Tamworth thanks to a thumping finish from Jed Davies against his former club and an injury-time strike from substitute Mike Howard.

It is the first time in three years that the Pitmen have reached the second qualifying round, and with the FA doubling the prize money this year, today's victory was worth £6,000 to the club.

"I thought we were good value for the win," said Smith, afterwards. "A lot of people were telling me Tamworth were big favourites but I think their manager will admit we deserved to win, and I think we did.

"It was a blood and thunder cup tie, bit of rain on the pitch, it was great. Main thing is the chairman might smile tonight!"

Smith was pleased to see his side react from their 3-1 defeat to Stafford Rangers in midweek and was delighted to keep a first clean sheet of the season.

"We were much improved from Tuesday night, we wanted a reaction," he said.

"When we were questioning our commitment and passion the other night and rightly so, we showed that in abundance today.

"The results come with that work rate, we've said that. If we work that hard we shouldn't lose many games but you've got to get that consistency.

"The back five were outstanding, led by the skipper (Stef Galinski), who was immense.

"That's what you've got to do, get close to the striker. They're a handful those two and they proved it but I though physically we got the better of them, which if you don't do you pay the price.

"As a back five we defended superbly, that's our first clean sheet of the season, hopefully we can go get some more."

After some woeful finishing in the first half left more balls in the car park than anywhere near the net, Davies thumped home an emphatic goal ten minutes after the break.

"He's got that quality that sometimes we lack," said Smith. "Not many poeople would have scored that goal.

"He's that type of player but what Jed's got to do is find some consistency. When he plays like that, great little player."

However, the midfielder could have been sent off shortly after that when he lunged into a reckless challenge while already on a yellow.

Tamworth defender and former Wolves academy player Regan Upton was also lucky to stay on the pitch after cutting Callam Mendez-Jones in half.

"I'll be honest, I'm old school," said Smith. "I wouldn't want to see a red card for that, although I have seen them for that.

"Jed didn't catch the lad but because he has stopped the counter attack so there is an argument for a second yellow there.

"I don't know, I wouldn't want to see either of them go. I didn't want to see anybody suspended on the back of today."