The Pitmen began a run of four games at home as they faced Stocksbridge Park Steels at Keys Park. The first half was a scrappy affair with little in the way of clear-cut chances for either side. Stocksbridge began the stronger of the two, with a couple of corners in the opening minutes. For the Pitmen, Montel Gibson broke through the Stocksbridge midfield and set up Dom McHale who shot over the bar. Chris Hussey went close with a freekick for the Pitmen with an effort from 25 yards going narrowly past the post. Stocksbridge defended well during the half and largely nullified the Pitmen’s attacking intent. The frustration of the home side continued as Gibson had a shot blocked before Joe Doyle-Charles put a cross in, which Jermaine Hylton headed straight at Ben Townsend in goal for the visitors.
HT 0-0
The second half was a better spectacle, Hylton put in a dangerous cross for the Pitmen, but McHale scuffed his shot. Hylton then had a shot blocked before Gibson was flagged offside from a promising position. The game changed in the 63rd minute when substitute Akheem Rose hit a thunderous volley from Hussey’s cross which beat Townsend to give the home side the lead. Dan Trickett-Smith took a great shot from range which was palmed over the bar by Townsend as the Pitmen sought a second goal. Dan Turner forced a brilliant save from Townsend just before Gibson doubled the lead with a header at the far post from McHale’s cross. Ollie Harrison went close to adding a third with a volley at the far post from Hussey’s freekick. A couple of minutes later a strike from Simeon Maye was deflected for a corner as the Pitmen finished the stronger of the two sides, claiming all three points with a professional home performance.
Hednesford Town; Breeden, Morgan, Hussey, Labadie (Maye 64), Harrison, Wynter, Trickett-Smith, Doyle-Charles (Rose 57), Gibson (Taylor 75), McHale, Hylton (Turner 68). Sub not used; Parke
Stocksbridge Park Steels; Townsend, Charlesworth, Tinker, Turner, Owen, Iggulden, Deakin, O’Connor (Kay 64), Morris, Marshall (Wilkinson 64), Smythe (Jagielka 85). Subs not used; Roxburgh, Degruchy
Attendance 1809
