The Pitmen got off to a good start and imposed themselves on the visitors. In the second minute Dan Turner got on the end of Ryan Wynter’s long throw, heading the ball over Yusuf Mersin’s crossbar. Chris Hussey went close with a curling effort that went narrowly over the bar before a great pass from Dom McHale found Montel Gibson whose effort was deflected for a corner. A wonder strike in the 14th minute from McHale curled into the bottom corner of the net to give the Pitmen the lead their opening play deserved. Jack Redshaw had a couple of chances to equalise for Hyde United, his first effort was cleared while his second went well over the bar. Gibson had the opportunity to extend the lead when he connected with McHale’s cross however he fired over the bar. Just after the half hour mark, McHale was fouled by Lewis Thompson, Hussey swung the freekick to the back post, where Ollie Harrison headed the ball back across the face of goal, allowing skipper Joss Labadie to head home from close range. Dan Trickett-Smith curled an effort just wide of the post as the Pitmen sought to stretch their lead before half time. Turner put a shot wide just before half time, as the Pitmen went into the break leading by two goals.
HT 2-0
Hyde came out with an increased determination for the second half and had the ball in the net within 3 minutes of the restart, however the attempt was disallowed for an offside offence. A goal for the visitors did arrive in the 52nd minute when Redshaw shot from the edge of the area, Tony Breeden did well to parry the shot, however Lewis Rawsthorn was on hand to tap in the rebound. Antoine Makoli went on a dangerous looking run for Hyde which took him to the edge of the box, from where he shot wide of the post. A counter attack from Hyde saw Max Harrop send a cross into the Pitmen area which hit the side netting. Hyde continued to heap the pressure on the Pitmen defence with a series of corners and deflected shots on goal. Breeden made a good save from 25 yards out as the Pitmen tried to hold out for the win. A rare second half Pitmen attack saw Trickett-Smith play a ball into the area for substitute Jonny Edwards who forced Mersin into a save from a tight angle. Hyde forced two more corners during the seven minutes of added time, but were unable to capitalise as Hednesford claimed all three points in a hard-fought encounter.
Hednesford Town; Breeden, Morgan, Hussey, Labadie (Taylor 60), Harrison, Wynter (Johnson 72), Trickett-Smith, Maye, Gibson, McHale (Edwards 79), Turner (Rose 67). Sub not used; Parke
Hyde United; Mersin, Lloyd, Thompson (Ditchfield 71), Pratt (Kershaw 62), McMahon, Hall, Harrop (Bell 78), Fearnley, Rawsthorn, Redshaw, Makoli (Scanlon 62). Sub not used; Jones-Griffiths
Attendance 1260
