Following last weeks results Hednesford Town arrived at the Bracken Moor stadium in the knowledge that their title challenge was now in their own hands. Having won their last three league games, the Pitmen went into the match full of confidence with only two team changes, Elliot Johnson and Max Sheaf, who both left the field at half-time last week, being replaced by league debutant George Williams and midfield stalwart Joe Doyle-Charles respectively.
Hednesford began the game with energy and vigour, having the best of the initial exchanges. However, with the excellent Hogg tracking Omari Sterling-James every move ‘The Steels’ came back into the game, with the result that both teams fell into a long-ball joust dominated by their respective 3-man back lines. Although an Omari-Stirling James snap-shot whistled narrowly over the bar as did a Montel Gibson header, the only real moment of quality came in the 27th minute. Having won the ball deep in the Hednesford half, Stocksbridge fed the ball to Marcus Etherington wide on the right. The full-back whipped a fine cross behind the Hednesford back-line which was met by Rawson to head beyond the exposed Tony Breedon. As the remainder of the first half yielded little in the way of chances, Kelvin Davis and Danny Butterfield left the field with plenty to ponder over the course of half-time.
HT: 1-0
The Hednesford Town management team used the break to their advantage. Although the team came out unchanged, there was a renewed determination to take control of the game. The Pitmen began to get the ball on the ground and the midfield anchored by the hard-working Kinsella began to take hold. On 55 minutes Joel Taylor crossed from the left and although the Stocksbridge Park Steels defence were first to the ball, a headed clearance dropped to Montel Gibson who volleyed a fine finish into the top right-hand corner of the host’s net. Having equalised, the Pitmen were now in the ascendancy with the majority of the remainder of the game being played deep in ‘The Steels’ half. It was Taylor again who manufactured another chance from left hand side and as the ball was driven across the 6-yard box, the on-rushing Gibson was sent crashing to the floor by Jack Tinker. Referee Kings had no hesitation pointing to the penalty spot. Leading scorer Akheem Rose stepped up, but on this occasion Steels goalkeeper Ben Townsend dived to his right to make a fine save. Whilst Hednesford continued to press Stockbridge, with the introduction of Hylton and Jervis, a second goal eluded them. Harrison did have a goal bound header cleared off the line, but after 5 minutes added time, The Pitmen had to settle for a point on the road.
FT: 1-1
With FC United getting 3 points at Warrington Rylands and Hebburn taking a point against Prescot Cables, this result ratchets up the pressure over the closing stages. However, Hednesford’s fate remains in their own hands and with many twists and turns still to come over the final six games, The Pitmen can keep the faith that top spot remains within their grasp.
Attendance: 325
Stocksbridge Park Steels: Townsend, Etherington (Poole 74′), Tinker, Hogg, Williams, Iggulden, Marshall (Musgrave-Dore 81′), O’Connor (Kay 90+3′), Rawson, Morris (Dunne 66′), Smythe. Subs not used: Cancello.
Hednesford Town: Breeden, Morgan, Hussey, Williams (Hylton 63′), Harrison, Doyle-Charles, Rose (Watson), Kinsella, Gibson, Sterling-James (Jervis 63′), Taylor. Subs not used: Walker, Maye.
