Second-placed Hednesford Town hosted twelfth placed Guiseley AFC at Keys Park with the Pitmen looking to make it three wins from their last three matches.
The Pitmen took charge from the off as Ahkeem Rose struck wide of Joe Cracknell’s goal twice within the first three minutes; and it wouldn’t be long until the Guiseley number one would be forced into his first save through a deflected shot from the Pitmen’s number nine Montel Gibson.
Come the 17th minute, frustration echoed around the Keys Park Stadium as it seemed Rose’s shot had struck the hand of a Guiseley defender following a set piece. However, the Pitmen were soon rewarded for their pressure on the Guiseley defence as Gibson played a one-two with Rose before tapping home at the far post within the first 20 minutes.
Minutes later, Guiseley attempted to respond with a strike of their own through Jordan Thewlis with Tony Breeden being called into action for the first time; with a smart stop to his right hand side.
However, any doubt from the Hednesford fans would soon be put to rest as a poor backpass from the Guiseley defence was quickly closed down by Rose as he won a 50/50 with the goalkeeper to tap into an empty net for his 15th goal of the season, in what was a comfortable first half for Kelvin Davis’ men.
It could’ve been three for the Pitmen before the break as Ollie Harrison headed wide from a corner in the 42nd minute.
Prior to the end of the first period, Max Sheaf was substituted due to injury for Joe Doyle-Charles in what was the
only blemish on a dominant first half performance for the Pitmen.
HT: 2-0
The second period began with a substitution for the Pitmen as Elliott Johnson was withdrawn for Aiden Walker.
The Pitmen looked to carry on where they left off in the first half as Gibson nodded home from a cross, though it was disallowed for offside; before being withdrawn with an injury himself in the 56th minute.
Hednesford carried on pushing for a third as a lovely dummy from Rose led to a wonderful cross into Joel Taylor, whose strike whistled just past the far post. Cracknell was forced into action again as he made two saves in quick
succession from Omari Sterling-James and Jake Jervis. Cracknell was busy throughout the game as Jamie Morgan forced him into another stop.
The Lions pushed on in search of a response themselves but the Hednesford backline remained resolute, to prevent Guiseley creating any clear-cut chances as the Pitmen ran out comfortable 2-0 victors and continued
their push for promotion with three massive points.
Hednesford Town; Breeden, Morgan, Taylor, Hussey, Harrison, Johnson (Walker 45), Sheaf (Doyle-Charles 45+1), Kinsella, Gibson (Jervis 56), Sterling-James, Rose (Watson 86). Sub not used: Hylton
Guiseley AFC; Cracknell, Odunston (Lufudu 75), White, Mbeka, Owen, Lawlor, Hopper (Fadera 65), Brown
(Hudson 81), Thewlis, Emmett (Boyle 94), 11 Amir Berchil (Silva 65).
Attendance – 1740
