Hednesford Town kicked off their pre-season campaign with a narrow victory over a hard working Chasetown side thanks to a solitary second half goal from Ashley Sammons.

The Pitmen, under the guidance of Liam McDonald, showed just three members from last season’s squad with the manager having totally overhauled things in preparation for the 2016/17 campaign.

The first period saw little in terms of clear cut chances although Sammons did see an effort cleared off the line after he rounded goalkeeper John Bateman.

Mitchell Piggon also went close for the Scholars with Brendan Murphy almost testing Dan Crane following a mazy run and a final shot that went narrowly wide.

Cohen Bramall meanwhile showed plenty of attacking intent from fullback – looking to get forward on the fantastically prepared Keys Park pitch at every opportunity.

Hednesford finally made the breakthrough in the 67th minute when Tristan Dunkley pulled off a great turn and cross to pick out George Carline who nodded it down for Sammons to finish smartly.

Late on, new Hednesford skipper Tom Thorley saw a free kick from the edge of the box saved.

In the end the one goal would be enough for the new look Pitmen, with supporters going home happy with what they had seen.

Hednesford Town: Crane, Wright, Bramall, Maye, Francis (Mutton), Flanagan, Singh (Brown), Thorley, Luckie (Dunkley), Sammons (Martin), Carline

Sub not used: Ransome

Chasetown: Bateman, Curley, Haynes, Banks (Robinson), Eze, Dance, Langston (Till), Brown, Piggon (Turton), Sullivan (Gardner), Murphy (Kiembi (Love))

Attendance: 384