The spoils were shared in the Chase derby, as Hednesford Town and Chasetown played out a 1-1 draw in front of 2620 spectators at Keys Park.
The first half belonged to the Pitmen who started the stronger of the two sides, Jack Bearne delivered a dangerous cross in the 3rd minute that evaded everyone at the far post. Moments later Manny Duku saw an effort from a corner blocked. In the 9th minute a foul on Bearne led to a Pitmen freekick which was taken by Dan Trickett-Smith, Elliott Johnson met the cross and headed past Curtis Pond to give the Pitmen an early lead. The advantage was with the Pitmen, however they were unable to extend their lead for the rest of the half, Rob Stevenson was flagged offside on a couple of occasions, Sion Spence saw a decent shot deflected behind for a corner while Omar Holness headed over the bar from Dan Sparkes’ corner. In reply, Chasetown forced a good save from Jack Rose when Jack Langston struck an attempt goal ward. Just before half time Stevenson went close to doubling the lead but Pond was on hand to make the save.
HT 1-0
The frustration continued at the start of the second half as the Pitmen could not find a decisive second goal. Pond, again was on hand to save Stevenson’s looping shot from Sparkes’ corner. In the 65th minute Chasetown exchanged two former Pitmen when George Cater replaced Sam Griffiths, in what proved to be a positive substitution for the visitors. A minute later the Pitmen’s luck continued to be against them when Jack Bearne struck the crossbar with Pond well beaten. In the 72nd minute Chasetown found an equaliser when Joe Dunne floated a ball into the area, allowing Jack Langston to volley the ball past Rose. From this point on Chasetown had the best of the game with Cater causing problems for the Pitmen defence, the hosts survived a goal mouth scramble in the 79th minute as the ball ricocheted around the six yard box. Pitmen substitute Zidan Sutherland had a half chance to win the game for Hednesford, but shot wide late on as the Pitmen hung on for a draw.
Hednesford Town; Rose, Rowe, Sparkes (Taylor 94), Johnson, Roberts, Holness, Trickett-Smith, Spence (McHale 79), Stevenson (Jervis 70), Duku (Sutherland 70), Bearne (Alamu-Tajudeen 79).
Chasetown; Pond, Griffiths (Cater 65), Dunne, Fenton, Unwin, Wilding, Hayward, Langston, Chimenes (O’Callaghan 70), Thompson, Yates. Subs not used; Evans, Atherton, Cunningham.
