Rob Smith’s new look Hednesford Town side picked up their first victory of pre-season following a 2-0 triumph over Chasetown.

The manager was able to call upon left-back Tom James for the first time, while trialists Pablo Mills and Jake Heath were also included within the starting line-up as Smith made five changes from Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with AFC Wulfrunians.

Chasetown meanwhile contained no fewer than four former Pitmen players in their squad for the game.

Following a lively opening, Hednesford almost drew first blood when Marvin Robinson stung the palms of John Bateman in the visitors’ goal after nine minutes.

The home side should really have taken the lead in the 34th minute but after Tim Sanders was tripped in the box, Paul Ennis saw his penalty kick saved by Bateman to keep the scores level.

Five minutes into the second half the Pitmen did finally break the deadlock when Marvin Robinson powerfully headed home a corner from inside the six-yard box.

Chasetown had a chance to respond straight away when they were awarded a penalty of their own in the 53rd minute. Paul Sullivan picked up the ball but saw his effort saved by Town goalkeeper Dave Parton.

Hednesford were able to double their lead in the 64th minute as Kyle Perry held the ball up for Tim Sanders and the midfielder was able to lay the ball across the box via Josh Craddock to Ennis who finished smartly into the far corner of the net.

With the inevitable flurry of substitutions the game fizzled out in the final quarter but Smith would have been happy to see his side record a victory ahead the game against Stafford Rangers on Saturday at Keys Park.

Hednesford Town: Parton, Disney (Bailey 62), James (Craddock 46), Mills, Williams, Tilt (Trainer 46), Heath (France 62), Adams (Todd 46), Robinson (Perry 62), Ennis, Sanders

Chasetown: Bateman, Trialist, Haynes, Slater, Francis, Quinn, Gould, Brown, Marsden, Sullivan, Rankin

Subs: Hayden, Butler, Edwards, Waite, Cowley, Turton, Beckett, Trialist, Griffiths, Birt

Attendance: 210