Pitmen Score Four Going Third In Process
Hednesford Town extended their unbeaten home run to nineteen matches and leap-frogged Bradford Park Avenue and Chester to sit third in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier despite putting in a performance which flattered to deceive in parts.
The Pitmen scored four quality goals and never looked like losing, however manager Rob Smith had reason to be frustrated as his side let a team, lying rock bottom of the league, threaten their goal too often.
The Pitmen’s attacking play brimmed with quality as Jamey Osborne and Chris Clements came up against little resistance against a lightweight Burscough midfield during the opening twenty minutes.
Osborne shot wide on thirteen minutes, linking up well with Kyle Haynes, and a minute later Marvin Robinson was given space to nod in Darren Campion’s left wing corner.
Mark Beesley should have done better when he side footed wide six minutes after the first goal but the away sides’ defensive frailty was shown up as Osborne lashed in The Pitmen’s second on twenty-five minutes.
Will Jones forced a quality save from Crane on the half hour before Clements stroked in a free kick six minutes later to make the game safe for Hednesford before the break.
Nick Wellecomme rounded the keeper to score the fourth on fifty-nine minutes but, as the final half hour elapsed, the home side allowed Beesley, Matty Parry and Phil Quirk the opportunity to come close to securing a consolation for the visitors.
All eyes turn to the FA Cup on Saturday as The Pitmen travel to Carlton Town for a second round qualifying tie which could set up the chance of a long overdue cup run.
Hednesford Town
Crane, Haynes, Shaw (Clarke 62), Monteiro, Gomes, Denny, Osborne (25), Clements (36), Robinson (14) (Quinn 45), Wellecomme (59), Campion © (Benjamin-McFarlane 62),
Subs Not Used
Dunkley, Grice,
Burscough
Thompson, Comozzi, Crowder, Farley, Connolly ©, Roberts, Parry, Blakeman (Quirk 70), Beesley (Higgins 76), Jones, Brookfield,
Subs Not Used – Ellison, McCulloch
Bookings – Roberts
Entertainment Rating – 4 Stars
Star Man – Dan Crane
Attendance – 451
Words By Chris Brewerton
