After another turbulent week off the field the Pitmen took the long trek north to play arguably the best team in the league in a game that would test them to the full.
The game got off to the worst possible start for the visitors who fell victim to a ball forward in the wet and blustery conditions, eventually finding its way to Jarrett Rivers to score after only 63 seconds.
A Danny Glover free kick and a Vinny Mukendi header were the closest that the Pitmen came before Rivers doubled the score, with his second of the game, after being put in with a clever ball from the excellent Blyth skipper, Robbie Dale.
Hednesford immediately responded by bringing Tony Clarke on as substitute for Gavin Hurren and dropping George Washbourne back to try to contain the threat of Jarrett Rivers down the left side.
With the home side now looking dangerous every time they went forward, the Pitmen tried hard to compose themselves and gave themselves some hope when a beautifully flighted ball from Danny Glover was headed in via the post by a combination of Vinny Mukendi and Paul Woolstone in the Blyth goal.
This goal heralded the best spell for the visitors and Mukendi and Glover both came close with chances as the half time interval approached.
HT: 2-1
The second half commenced in a competitive fashion with both sides eager to get the next score which would probably prove to be decisive, with the Pitmen being indebted to Dan Crane. There were a flurry of cautions with Washbourne and Preston receiving yellow cards for the Pitmen and Reid for the home side for a heavy challenge on Danny Glover.
In the 56th minute Dale’s clever chipped shot came back off the crossbar with Crane beaten but Luke Armstrong was quickest to react to squeeze the ball over the line.
The Pitmen were visibly shaken by this and for the remainder of the game were under a constant assault from Spartans, who were so quick and inventive in the attacking third of the pitch, showing why they are comfortably the league’s top scoring side.
Further goals came from Dale after 69 minutes, as he broke forward to slot home, before Daniel Maguire added a fifth and but for a number of spectacular saves from Crane the scoreline could have been worse.
Blyth Spartans: Woolston, Atkinson, Watson, Laidler, Hutchinson, Buddle (Pell 46), Rivers (Wrightson 76), Reid (Cartwright 80), Maguire, Armstrong, Dale.
Subs not used: Bell, Pattinson.
Hednesford Town: Crane, Haynes, Hurren (Clarke 17), McNaught, Caines, Preston, Fitzpatrick, Thorley, Glover (Fosu-Mensah 80), Mukendi (Hutton 73), Washbourne.
Subs not used: Ransome, Brenan.
Attendance: 601
Star Man: George Washbourne
Entertainment Rating: Four Stars
