Top of the table Hednesford Town faced third placed FC United of Manchester at Keys Park in front of a capacity crowd of 4784. In a hard-fought encounter, the Pitmen got off to the better start with Joel Taylor putting in a dangerous cross that was gathered in by Dan Atherton in goal for the visitors, before Montel Gibson hit an effort high and wide for Hednesford. The game was very cagey with few opportunities for either side, Paul Ennis shot wide for FC United before Gibson forced an excellent save from Atherton following an energetic break from inside his own half. Joss Labadie put an effort narrowly wide for the Pitmen while Jamie Morgan shot over the bar after a good Pitmen move. In the 42nd minute Dom McHale broke the deadlock as he ran towards the box and smashed his shot into the back of the net. During stoppage time Matthew Grivosti took a free kick which was easily defended by the Pitmen before Tony Breeden took care of a corner from FC United.
HT 1-0
The Pitmen began the second half with a corner from Chris Hussey, which Ollie Harrison flicked on into the danger zone before the referee blew for a foul, giving a freekick to the visitors. FC United had come out for the dressing room with some intent and began the second half strongly, they found an equaliser in the 58th minute when Ruben Grewal fired home past Breeden with a shot from the right-hand side of the box. A controversial moment followed in the 62nd minute when it looked like Atherton spilled a Hussey corner into his own net, but the goal was disallowed due to a much-disputed foul on the keeper. A few minutes later the Pitmen had another goal disallowed for an alleged handball when Gibson turned and shot past Atherton. Both sides had the chance to win the game late on with Breeden producing a fantastic save from Grewal before Dan Turner landed an effort on the roof of the net for the Pitmen. A point was enough for the Pitmen to remain top of the table going into the New Year.
Hednesford Town; Breeden, Morgan (Wynter 84), Taylor, Labadie (Rose 63), Harrison, Hussey, Watson (Turner 63), Sheaf, Gibson, McHale, Trickett-Smith. Subs not Parke, Maye
FC United of Manchester; Atherton, Thomson, Weston, Wisdom (Donohue 49), Misambo, Palinkas, Grivosti (Buckley 75), Ennis, Le Fondre, Grewal, Fitzmartin (Sudworth 68). Subs not used; Sithole, Lawrence
Attendance 4784
