It was back to Keys Park for the second time in a week as the Pitmen faced Sutton Coldfield Town in the latest pre-season friendly, in front of another near capacity crowd. After a strong performance against Kettering Town on Saturday, manager Andy Morrell promised a run out to some of the players who had featured less often in recent matches.
George Cater and Dan Turner were a threat throughout, with their developing partnership a reason for optimism for the Pitmen supporters. A dangerous combination between the two rattled the visitor’s defence and a classy turn and shot from from Turner skimmed the crossbar, before Cater finished powerfully from inside the Sutton area in the 17th minute. Moments later, Cater turned provider feeding Turner in the left channel, with the frontman shooting narrowly over. Jack Hallahan forced a save from visiting keeper Lewis Gwilliams with a low drive from a short corner, as the Pitmen controlled the remainder of the first half without adding to the scoreline.
HT 1-0
Cater continued to make life difficult for the Royals’ defence, whipping in crosses for Rhys Thompson and then Turner, forcing point blank saves from the impressive Gwilliams. A surging run out of defence from Josh Kilford played in Triallist 3 whose cross found Cater, only for the Sutton stopper to once again deny the Pitmen a second goal. Hallahan had a long range effort inches wide of the post, before Cater was thwarted by Gwilliams when through on goal.
Triallist 3 made a pacy run to the by line delivering the ball for Cater to add a second in the 73rd minute. In the closing stages of the game, Sutton hit the bar before the Pitmen’s Triallist keeper made a reflex save, although the off side flag had already been raised.
Hednesford Town; Wycherley (Triallist 4 59), Thompson (Kilford 59, Walker 85), Lycett (Triallist 2 51), Bailey, Mendez-Jones (Preston 35), Hallahan (Owen 80), Cater (Waddison 80), Dodd, Turner (Triallist 3 59), Davies, Triallist 1.
