There was little festive cheer for the Hednesford Town supporters as they watched their side fall to a heavy defeat against a rampant Grantham Town side.
The first chances of the game fell to the Pitmen when striker Spencer Weir-Daley saw his shot saved in the second minute before another effort flashed across the goal and just wide of the upright five minutes later.
This kicked the home side into life and after Dan Crane had made a fine save in the Pitmen goal, Rhys Lewis blazed the rebound over the bar before Kyle Rowley cleared an effort off the line in a hectic couple of minutes inside the Hednesford penalty area.
Despite these close calls, it would be Hednesford that would strike first in the 21st minute when Dan Brenan headed the ball into the net from a Jamie Sheldon corner.
The lead would last just 14 minutes though as the lively Luke Shaw picked out Danny Meadows at the back post and his downwards header brought his side level.
Three minutes later things went from bad to worse as Shaw broke the Hednesford offside trap and slid the ball home from just inside the box.
Right on the stroke of halftime the hosts should have added a third goal when Lee Shaw found himself through on goal, but this time he put the ball the wrong side of the post.
HT: 2-1
The Pitmen started the second half on the front foot after David McDermott had seen a goal-bound shot blocked for a corner which saw Gavin Caines fire well over the bar.
Weir-Daley then saw two efforts blocked away as Hednesford continued to press the home side.
However, that would soon end as Grantham got into their stride once again with Crane having to be alert to make a smart save just past the hour mark.
That was a warning of what was to come though as the home side added a third goal in the 74th minute when Shaw got the byline and his ball across the goal picked out Jeremiah Dasaolu who was able to fire home into an unguarded net.
Three minutes later it was four as Brenan mishit a clearance onto his own crossbar and the ball fell kindly for Lee Shaw to head into the net from just a yard out.
Although that was to be the end of the scoring it wouldn’t be the end of the action with Crane having to rush from his goal to deny Lee Shaw a second goal in what was an ultimately forgettable afternoon for the Pitmen.
Grantham Town: Preston, Wildin, Storey, Purcicoe, Galinksi, Meadows (Wright 83), Clifton, Lewis (Martin 80), Dasaolu, Lee Shaw, Luke Shaw
Sub not used: Martin
Hednesford Town: Crane, Rowley, Wildin, McNaught, Caines, Brenan, Sheldon (Gibson 77), Thorley, Clarke (Leek 61), Weir-Daley, McDermott (Shearer 77)
Subs not used: Mutton, Forsyth
Attendance: 223
Star Man: Dan Crane
Entertainment Rating: Two Stars
