Pitmen suffer narrow loss against Solihull Moors at Keys Park
Despite taking the lead through a header from Jamie Cooke, two goals in quick succession from Conor McFarlene and Kian Ryley gave the hosts their first pre-season defeat.
Boss Kelvin Davis made several changes from the lineup that drew in Stratford on Tuesday night. Former Walsall goalkeeper Sam Hornby took the place of Xander Parke in between the sticks. Ben Lomax dropped to the bench as Aaron Harper-Bailey, Niall Maher and captain Aaron Hayden made up the back three with the Pitmen continuing in the 3-4-1-2 formation. At wingback, Lenni Cirino and Dylan Mottley-Henry came in for Jay Fitzmartin and the absent Jamie Morgan on the left and right respectively. Liam Kinsella and Dale Gorman maintained their place in central midfield as scholar Josh Mabbley was replaced by Omari Sterling-James in the ten. Rounding off the team, Jamie Cooke replaced Dan Turner up top with Akheem Rose ,securing consecutive starts, alongside him.
In an even contest, the visitors could have found themselves ahead after three minutes as Ben Wodsku blazed over a massive opportunity from the edge of the area. Ten minutes in, Omari Sterling-James fashioned an opportunity of his own; twisting away from Rio Shipston and Ben Worman before striking over the crossbar. The first shot on target came courtesy of Matty Carson as Sam Hornby was called into action for the first time, punching away a fierce strike from range. 18 minutes in, the visitors missed another massive opportunity. Joe Sbarra was fractions away from meeting a fantastic cross from Cameron Green just yards out from goal. Before the restart, Aaron Hayden would be forced off with an injury as Jai Curran-Nichols took his place in the back line.
After missing two golden opportunities, the visitors were made to rue their missed chances as the Pitmen took the lead. Lenni Cirino curled a beautiful dead ball onto the head of Jamie Cooke as he nodded the Pitmen into the lead. Moors looked to respond quickly and they might well have if not for a fantastic stop from Hornby preventing a powerful effort from Shipston finding the net.
With 42 minutes on the clock, the away side missed a third golden opportunity. One on one with Horby, Junior Tiensa dragged his effort wide of the target sparing the blushes of Aaron Harper-Bailey. Just after, Nathaniel Ford was quick to close down Cooke to prevent the Pitmen lead being doubled before the break.
HT 1-0
The visitors continued their hunt after the break for an equaliser as Hornby beat away another effort from Shipston following a short corner.
The Pitmen had an opportunity of their own to double their lead through Dan Turner though Ford was on hand to prevent his strike before scampering across to watch a deflected effort from Rose over the crossbar. After 76 minutes, the Moors levelled proceedings as Conor McFarlene tapped home past Hornby. In quick succession, the Pitmen were dealt a second blow from Kian Ryley as the Pitmen fell behind for the first time in the match which proved to be enough for the visitors to take the victory at Keys Park.
Hednesford Town: Hornby, Hayden (Curran-Nichols 20), Maher (Lomax 45), Harper-Bailey, Cirino (Sharples 62), Mottley-Henry, Kinsella (Mabbley 71), Gorman (Turner 62), Sterling-James (Teesdale 71), Cooke (Fitzmartin 62), Rose (Brown 71) Sub not used: Parke
Solihull Moors: Ford, Howell, Carson (Hancock 85), Shipston, Whitmore, Sbarra (Wilkinson 57), Worman, Wodskou (Footes 57), Tiensa (Ryley 71), McFarlane (High 57), Green (Coffey 85) Sub not used: Williams
Attendance: 1249
