AUSTIN PROUD OF GROVE
Kidsgrove come up just short
TTHEY came, they saw, they were conquered – but only just.
Kidsgrove Athletic’s FA Cup adventure is over, beaten by the full-time professionals of Hartlepool United.
But the Evo-Stik East side can count themselves unfortunate to lose at the Super 6 Stadium. A seventh-minute close range finish from Pools’ striker Niko Muir was the difference between the sides.
In the second-half, the Grove gained confidence, grew into the game and were denied a deserved equaliser by two good saves by Pools’ keeper Scott Loach in quick succession.
Visiting boss Ryan Austin said: “There’s a load of positives we can take and if we can play like that in the league and in the FA Trophy then there’s no reason why we can’t have a successful season.
“We matched them all day. I’ve said before I have a great belief in the players and we have a young squad – games like this will only make them better. There’s disappointment to lose this, but when we look back we can be proud. Their keeper made three outstanding saves to keep them in the game and fine margins make the difference – they create one chance and score it. “We have had a real good run in the FA Cup and we are proud of what we have achieved.’’
The Grove, backed by 168 fans, tried to make a bright start, but their fluorescent yellow shirt was the loudest thing on show in the early stages. When Pools worked a short corner, Michael Woods put it in the area and Muir touched home from close range on seven minutes. From their fifth corner on 16 minutes, Andrew Davies picked his spot, but his firm header was pushed out by keeper Dominic Kurasik. A fierce goalbound Woods shot was then superbly headed away from under the bar by James Butler.
Pools were pedestrian in possession, allowing the visitors to get men behind the ball and cut off options. It was a scrappy game.
However, the visitors engineered an opening on 40 minutes. Captain and top scorer Anthony Malbon was teed up by Lewis Bergin for a shot but his angled volley was kept out by Loach.
On half-time, Muir should have made it two, but sidefooted wide of an empty net after being set up by Woods.
Malbon had a sniff of goal shortly after the restart, but a bit of hesitation on the edge of the area proved costly.
Kyle Diskin then tried his luck from 20 yards, but pulled his shot wide during a purple patch for the part-timers.
They had their best chances on 72 minutes. From a freekick some 25 yards out, Diskin fired a low, curling shot. The ball went through a crowded area and keeper Loach did very well to get down and palm it out of the bottom corner.
From the following set-piece, Bergin met the ball at the near post and his intelligent flick was blocked on the line by a relieved Loach.
The Grove had a penalty shout soon after, Malbon going down under a challenge from Loach, but referee Tim Reeves played on.
Pools boss Matthew Bates said: “Job done, not very well. It was a nervy afternoon, but we didn’t push on after the goal.
“It’s disappointing not to score a second after scoring so early. It sometimes doesn’t quite happen in football how you want it. We wanted one of the chances to drop in and we have to give Kidsgrove credit for how they played and they forced Loachy into a couple of saves.
“I’ve watched Kidsgrove and know what they can offer, we wanted to counter their threats, and we fielded as strong a side as possible.’’