Hednesford Town handed reality check in National League North opener

Hednesford Town were handed a reality check on their return to the National League North, as they were condemned to a 2-0 defeat at Merthyr Town.

Former Walsall midfielder Jacob Maddox scored both goals for the hosts to consign the Pitmen to an opening day defeat.

Maddox took just three minutes to break the deadlock when he slotted beyond Hednesford goalkeeper Sam Hornby following a penetrating run from Sam Pearson.

Aaron Jarvis headed Dale Gorman’s cross straight at Merthyr shot-stopper Jaimie Cogman, while Hornby produced an excellent to deny Kane Simpson.

Merthyr doubled their lead on the cusp of half-time when they caught Hednesford cold, before Maddox lifted his finish over the onrushing Hornby.

David Abimbola headed over and Jarvis failed to beat Cogman from close-range for Hednesford after the break. Hornby was then called upon to prevent Aneurin Livermore from adding a third.

“Frustrating because we’re on the back of a positive pre-season. We’ve had some good performances and probably today was our worst performance since we put the team together,” Hednesford boss Kelvin Davis reflected.

“Disappointed and I think we learned a little bit about ourselves and about the team.

“There were some mistakes that were made within the game and what we can improve on.

“You don’t like to lose games of football, but we do like to learn, and I think we’ve learned a lot about ourselves today.”

Kidderminster Harriers also began life back in the National League with a 3-0 humbling at Hornchurch.

Levi Amantchi was denied by Arthur Nasta after a smart turn inside the penalty area, but things rapidly went downhill for the Harriers.

Hornchurch captain Tom Wraight sent a half-volley over the crossbar, before Joe Kizzi delivered the breakthrough on 19 minutes, after nodding home from close-range.

The hosts doubled their lead just seven minutes later when Harriers lost possession and Angus MacDonald put through his own net.

Kidderminster then conceded for the third time in just 15 first half minutes when Makai Welch was afforded an abyss of space on the edge of the box to power his effort beyond the reach of Dave Richards.

Paul Wotton made three changes at half-time, but Kidderminster almost found themselves four down when Henry Sandat steered narrowly wide just after the restart.

Hornchurch threatened to extend their advantage throughout the first half, as Sandat continued to trouble Richards between the sticks.

Sandat passed up a gilt-edged chance after failing to find the net from Myles Weston’s low centre, before Richards denied his free header moments later.

In what was turning into a personal duel between the two players, Richards parried away another Sandat effort, before his follow-up rattled the crossbar.

Boss Wotton said: “Very disappointing result, a very disappointing performance at certain times.

“Before they scored their first goal, we looked a threat, we were front-footed and had a great chance to go 1-0 up, which we didn’t take.

“Then we don’t do our jobs from a set piece which we can’t afford to do.”