Two second half goals proved to be enough for visitors Gainsborough Trinity as Hednesford Town continued to search for their first home victory of 2016.
In order to try and achieve this manager Frank Sinclair made five changes to his starting eleven, one of which was enforced due to Kyle Perry’s suspension, but in came George Cleet for his debut, Phil Trainer, Tom Thorley, Tom Peers and Danny Glover.
It was a lively opening from both sides as Town goalkeeper Dan Crane was called into action twice to deny Jamie Yates and Nathan Jarman while Tom Thorley volleyed just wide for the Pitmen at the other end.
After an encouraging start for the Pitmen they almost took the lead in the 12th minute when the ball was cleared off the line by Gainsborough’s Stephen Brogan after it had deflected off a Trinity teammate following a corner from the left-hand-side.
The lively Jarman then saw a speculative long-range effort fly wide of the post before the visitors appealed for a penalty when Simon Russell went down inside the penalty area at a corner kick – something the officials waved away.
Five minutes before the break there was a let off for the home side as, with an open goal in front of him, Jake Picton couldn’t stretch enough to turn the ball home at the back post.
A minute later Hednesford striker Tom Peers found half a yard on the edge of the box and his driven effort was parried away by Jan Budtz in the Gainsborough goal for the last action of the first half.
Peers was in action in the 57th minute after being played in but he was unable to fire the ball past Budtz as the home side looked to make the breakthrough.
As Hednesford looked to push on in the second half, with the addition of two attacking substitutes in Ahmed Obeng and Paul Ennis, they were caught out in the 71st minute when Russell was played in and the winger slotted the ball home under the advancing Crane.
A big chance came and went for the Pitmen five minutes later when Peers worked half a yard for himself but fired wide from six yards out – with Ennis waiting for a pull back.
This would prove to be crucial as Trinity scored again with ten minutes to go to double their lead. After Crane had made two smart saves, a resulting corner eventually found its way to Picton who was able to prod home from six yards out and secure all three points for the organised travelling side.
The Pitmen will be hoping to put right that home record this Tuesday evening when North Ferriby United visit Keys Park.
Hednesford Town: Crane, Thomas, Truelove, Cleet, Digie, Trainer (Bailey 78), Peers, Thorley (Obeng 55), Glover, Williams, Payne (Ennis 68)
Subs not used: Ransome, Regan
Gainsborough Trinity: Budtz, Roma, Lacey, Wildin (Davis 85), D’Laryea, Picton, Russell, Brogan, Reid (Stamp 86), Jarman (Newsham 77), Yates
Subs not used: Binns, Quinn
Attendance: 321
Star Man: George Cleet
Entertainment Rating: Two Stars
