Hednesford 2 Ilkeston Town 0

After five straight UniBond League defeats manager Phil Starbuck’s patience finally snapped as he made wholesale changes for last night’s home game against Ilkeston Town.

Dave Macpherson was stripped of the captaincy, relegated to the subs bench and put on the transfer list.

Peter Knox who came to Keys Park with an impressive goal scoring record was released after the game along with Keenen Meakin-Richards and Rob Hawthorne.

In came three new faces, Linden Dovey from Shifnal Town, Ashley Woolliscroft from Kidsgrove Athletic and former England Schoolboy International Sam Hall who has been signed on a month loan deal from Burton Albion.

Paul Robinson, a pre-season signing from Ilkeston hit a 40 yard pass from the right wing over the Ilkeston defence straight to Chris Adam on the left side of the penalty area.

The Pitmen’s left sided midfield player took control and hit an unstoppable shot to give the Pitmen a 6th minute lead.

Tom Marshall who was promoted to captain was leading by example when he threw his body in the way of former Pitmen Colin Hunter’s fiercely hit shot from just inside the penalty area.

The visitors physical approach to the game had already resulted in two first half cautions before Nathan Winder launched into Woolliscroft with a two footed tackle but he just received a yellow card.

From a free kick on the right Marshall picked out Adam Woolliscroft whose attempted shot found Tom Ward on the six yard box.

The ball deflected off his shin and into the path of Marshall who scored from close range to extend the lead in the 52nd minute.

Dovey was then denied a debut goal his overall play deserved.

The ball had been chipped over the Ilkeston backline enabling Dovey to use his quick turn of pace to race into the penalty area where he unleashed a good left footed shot forcing Pettinger to make a one handed save.

Ilkeston pressed hard for long spells of the second half but with Marshall and Robinson in good form the visitors were only able to shoot from 20 yards which rarely troubled Rene Gilmartin.

Hednesford Town: Gilmartin, Simms, Adams, Hall (Macpherson 45), Marshall, Robinson, Heath (Pedro 68), Woolliscroft, Ward (Knox 73), Dovey, Adam.

Ilkeston Town: Pettinger, Powell, Hunter, Holmes, Winder (Jemson 45),Bre-wer, Gardner, Walker, Muller, Palmer, Piliero (Ross 59).

Sub not used: Wade

Referee: Mr N.Radford (Worcester)

Attendance: 383