The Pitmen faced 13th placed Mossley at Keys Park knowing that a win would put them top of the league for at least 24 hours. The game began at a fairly even pace with both sides snuffing out each other’s attacking intentions. In the 22nd minute Mossley ‘keeper Finlay Madigan made a fine save from Jake Jervis who was having an industrious game in the number nine shirt. There was a controversial moment a couple of minutes later when Hednesford’s Jack Bearne appeared to be caught in the face by the elbow of Sean Kgwakgwa, although nothing was given by the referee. The decisive moment in the half would come from Bearne when his twisting run into the box was halted by a foul and a penalty was duly awarded to the Pitmen, captain for the day Dominic McHale stepped up to take the spot kick and dispatched the ball into the net low to Madigan’s left. Just before the half time break a mix up at the back for the Pitmen nearly allowed Eric Yahaya in on goal, but after some robust defending Chris Hussey was able to come away with the ball.
HT 1-0
The Pitmen began the second half with a sense of urgency, Dan Trickett-Smith shot over from McHale’s cross before McHale had a shout for a penalty waved away when his run into the box was ended by a Mossley defender. The Pitmen controlled the game in the second half, dominating possession and producing most of the attacking football that was on display. The game was wrapped up in the 67th minute when player of the match Jervis scored with a great effort from the edge of the box to double the PItmen’s lead. Substitute Nathan Blissett had a couple of late chances for the Pitmen, first narrowly missing out to the keeper on reaching Hussey’s far post delivery and then hitting the side netting from Akheem Rose’s cross. A professional performance from the PItmen took all three points and saw them take the top spot in the league table for 24 hours.
Hednesford Town; Breeden, Morgan, Taylor, Maye, Harrison (Roberts 74), Hussey, Trickett-Smith, Doyle-Charles (Watson 62), Jervis (Rose 81), McHale (Blissett 76), Bearne. Sub not used, Brown.
Mossley AFC; Madigan, Marrow, Varela, Lees, Kardacz, Lavelle, Kgwakgwa (Shepherd 66), Brewster, Yahaya (Dasilva), Fawns (Berks 52), Mugalula. Subs not used; Adekoya, Sherratt.
Attendance 1439
