A superb defensive display by Hednesford Town formed the bedrock of a solid 2-0 victory for The Pitmen at a blustery Silverlands which moved Rob Smith’s title chasing outfit back level on points at the top with rivals North Ferriby United.
The windy conditions made playing any sort of football difficult as both teams were buffeted by the seemingly gale force weather but a goal in each half sent an impressive Pitmen away following home with their hopes of winning the league still very much alive.
The Buxton manager was sent to the stands for dissent within five minutes of the first whistle before Michael Lennon opened the scoring on 15 minutes with a superb long range shot which, from the corner of the area, flew past Tom Turner into the top corner to set the away side on their way.
Lennon hooked a loose ball into the net off the crossbar on the stroke of half time but saw his second goal of the evening inexplicably ruled out for an infringement and tempers frayed just after the break when a foul in front of the dugouts triggered a melee with both benches and all the outfield players getting involved.
The goal which sealed Hednesford’s victory came on 61 minutes when Jamey Osborne glided past three players and looked to have been hauled down in the box only for the referee to give a free kick right on the edge of the penalty area.
Kris Taylor stepped up and fired an unstoppable left footed shot past Turner as the vociferous Pitmen support wildly celebrated a goal which sets up their visit to Ilkeston on Saturday, with North Ferriby facing a difficult trip to Marine, as another pivotal match in their season.
Hednesford Town
Crane, Disney, Campion (c), Bailey, Francis, Macpherson (Barnes 90), Osborne, Durrell (Woolfe 84), Harvey, Lennon (15) (O’Connor 89), Taylor (61)
Subs Not Used
Rey, Patterson
Buxton
Turner, Black, Green, Istead (c), Palmer, Roberts, Stevens, Towey (Thornhill 79), Morris, Maxfield, Duncum
Subs Not Used
Haggerty, Reed, Lugsden, Muller
Bookings – Bailey, Black, Towey, Maxfield,
Attendance – 298
Entertainment Rating – 3 Stars
Star Man – Ben Bailey
Match Action
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