Hednesford Town secure play-off final spot while Chasetown agonisingly miss out - losing on penalties

In front of 2,200 supporters at Keys park, Daniel Trickett-Smith sealed victory late-on adding to Ahkeem Rose and Dominic McHale’s first-half strikes.

Pitmen owner Craig Gwilt embraced manager Hurren at full-time who was then greeted by loud cheers when he entered the fan’s bar. 

The chaotic encounter saw a Vauxhall equaliser ruled out and multiple appeals for red cards waved away. But, the Pitmen cared little at full-time as they progressed into the play-off final where they will face Congleton Town who beat Chasetown 4-3 on penalties.

”We played exceptional, some of the football, they couldn’t live with it,” said Hednesford manager Hurren. “They were a solid team, we knew it would be a big ask and we needed big game players to turn up. They did. 

“To see 2,200 fans here, singing, it was a great feeling. 

“I have said to the boys that there is one game to go, a play-off final, and they have done exceptionally well to get there.

”Vauxhall are an exceptionally good outfit and we took them apart. I am exceptionally proud of what the boys have achieved. 

“Anything can happen in the final but we are going to enjoy it. We will enjoy tonight, sometimes you can get carried away and forget the good times.“

Teams often look to their attackers to prove decisive in games of this nature, and Ahkeem Rose, Dominic McHale, and Daniel Trickett-Smith certainly played crucial roles for the Pitmen. 

Rose, who was a handful, gave Hednesford a deserved early lead, sending the thousands crammed inside Keys Park into raptures. 

Hurren added on the forward: "He was on fire. We know he is clinical, he gets half a yard and it's a goal. But, it was everybody, the squad are all in it together and it is an exceptional group of players. 

"We have one more game to try and get the job done, and if we play like we did tonight (April 29) then we will get a positive result."

The Pitmen escaped going level just minutes-later as a Vaxuhall equaliser was controversially ruled out for a foul on Oliver Harrison who collided with goalkeeper Tony Breeden to leave an open goal.

The hosts looked on edge after this, but order was restored when McHale steered home a second. But, just when Hednesford were looking comfortable heading towards the break, Adam Rooney’s strike on the cusp of half-time gave Vauxhall hope. 

The visitors were fortunate not to see goalkeeper Alex Swindell sent off for a late challenge outside the box or Vita Mbolokele given a second yellow card. 

But, the evening concluded with Hednesford boss Hurren racing down the touchline after Trickett-Smith dealt the decisive blow.

The Hednesford goalscorer said: "I'm really happy, it was a good performance from the lads. We made a good account of ourselves and we are delighted to get through.

"At 2-1 it is always a sticky scoreline, but to get the third to secure the victory was great. The fans were brilliant and going over to them in the corner, it was a good moment."

Elsewhere, in another exhilarating semi-final, Chasetown thought they had secured a late winner at Congleton Town through Jack Langston who superbly cut inside and struck home. But, Daniel Needham’s reply for the hosts, two-minutes from time, caused heartbreak for the Scholars. 

In extra time, Max McCarthy gave Congleton the lead and looked to have inflicted defeat on Chasetown. However, the Scholars battled back and substitute Luke Yates turned home a cross to level again with four-minutes remaining. 

The drama continued as Chasetown were then awarded a 118th-minute penalty. But, Danny Glover‘s spot kick was agonisingly saved. 

The match went the full distance and was decided by penalties, and Hednesford supporters waited eagerly in anticipation to find out who they will face in the final. 

And, Chasetown missed their first spot kick, providing Congleton with an advantage that they were able to maintain.