‘Passion, heart, togetherness’ - Coventry United defy the odds to cause huge FA Cup shock
Coventry United chairman Ray Nowack lauded the quality and resilience of his players after watching the NPL Midlands Division side topple Step 2 Hednesford Town 1-0 in FA Cup second round qualifying.
A fourth minute own-goal from Hednesford goalkeeper Will Murdock was the difference between the sides at Keys Park, as a heroic display from United saw them hold on to secure safe passage through to the third qualifying round for the first time in the club’s history.
The Pitmen threatened throughout in front of their home fans, going close via Aaron Jarvis and Will Merry, but visiting goalkeeper Dan Moore made a string of fine saves to preserve the lead, aided by a resolute display at the back.
In beating Step 2 outfit Hednesford, who secured promotion to the National League North via the play-offs last season, it is also the first time that Coventry United have beaten a professional team since their formation in July 2013.
“The result says it all,” Nowack said.
“It shows exactly how far Coventry United has come. This is what we’re built on: passion, heart and togetherness. None of this happens without all of us pulling in the same direction.
“Terry Anderson and his staff - they just don’t stop. Their dedication and standards are incredible. And as for the players? Today every single one of you was Man of the Match. You fought for every ball, you gave everything, and you did this club proud.”
Manager Anderson also gave his own thoughts following victory in Staffordshire, reiterating how much he believed in the squad despite a poor run of form in the NPL Midlands Division.
“Everybody had us down as getting drummed today,” Anderson said.
“We had belief in the changing room that we could come here and turn around a bit of bad form that we’ve had in the league.
“It was all on them [the lads] today. We gave them the answers that we thought we had for them, but at the end of the day, it’s them that went out onto the pitch.
“They stuck in there together and showed they are a great team.”
The club have been rewarded with another away day in the next round on Saturday 3 October, where they face Suffolk-based Leiston.
Their Step 3 opponents sit ninth in the Southern League Premier Central, with 11 points from their eight games so far.