Express & Star

Hednesford Town 1 Nantwich 0 - Report

Hednesford cut things close securing a 1-0 victory over Nantwich Town at Keys Park.

Published

The Pitmen looked to get back to winning ways at Keys Park following two defeats on the road prompting manager Rob Smith to hand home debuts to Richard Platt, Callum Bullock and Tyler Weir.

Nantwich had the better of the opening exchanges culminating with long range efforts from Clayton and Cooke although neither broke the deadlock.

The Pitmen weathered that opening barrage and began to dominate possession of the ball soon after.

In the 19th minute Tom Thorley's clever pass into the box allowed Danny Glover the space to get a shot away, and despite a last ditch block from Joel Stair deflected the ball deflected past the Nantwich goalkeeper to give Hednesford the lead.

Bullock should have doubled the lead moments later but he misfired - sending his shot wide of the post.

The Pitmen continued to enjoy a good share of the ball at the start of the second half.

Chekaine Steele's pace and trickery on the right and Glover's strength in the air kept the Nantwich defence busy throughout the second period.

The game opened up mid-way through the half, with Nantwich making a double substitution in an effort to recapture the form in which they began the game.

A series of long crosses and free kicks into the area intended to exploit their physical presence up front, but Hednesford ultimately held firm to keep their unbeaten run at Keys Park going.

Teams

Pitmen; Wren, Platt, Weir (Melbourne) Bailey, Mutton, Fitzpatrick, Steele (Levingston), Thorley (c), Glover Lawrie, Bullock (Lyttle) Subs not used; Nadat, Oji

Nantwich Town; Burzynski, Bourne, Morgan, Stair, Mullarkey, Bell (c), Hughes, Brooke (McDonald) Clayton (Davies)Cooke, Cottrell (Jones) Subs not used; Rowntree, Forbes,

Bookings; Fitzpatrick, Steele (Hednesford)