Hednesford Town’s season hit a bump in the road at Keys Park, as Kidsgrove Athletic claimed a 2-1 win. The game got off to a good enough start for the Pitmen and they went ahead in just the fourth minute when Rob Stevenson opened his account for the season with a neat finish applied to Jack Bearne’s cross. Bearne went close to adding a second a few minutes later and there were clear chances for Dominic McHale, going close at the far post, and Dan Trickett-Smith shooting narrowly wide, as the Pitmen dominated the half. Matt Rhead went into the referee’s book for Kidsgrove when he failed to retreat at a free kick before Kory Roberts went close, forcing a save from a corner. The Pitmen were unable to claim the second goal that their play richly deserved as things got worse for Kidsgrove when a dangerous high tackle from the already booked Rhead saw him dismissed in stoppage time.
HT 1-0
For the opening 15 minutes of the second half the Pitmen were totally in control, maintaining possession and playing mostly in Kidsgrove’s half of the pitch. Stevenson finished another cross from Bearne in the 57th minute, however the linesman indicated that Bearne had been in an offside position when be delivered the ball. Minutes later, on a rare venture into the Pitmen’s half, substitute Kingsley Adu-Gyamfi scored with a wonder strike that went in off the post to produce an unlikely equaliser. The Pitmen fought hard to re-take the lead with a long range effort from Blaine Rowe going high and wide before McHale forced another good save from Kieran Harrison. The Pitmen’s dominance of the game was completely undone in the 85th minute when a foul from Sion Spence gave Kidsgrove a freekick on the edge of the area. Kyle Diskin sent a low drive into the area which found Adu-Gyamfi who finished past Jack Rose to give the visitors the lead. McHale looked like the best chance of finding an equaliser for the Pitmen, firstly forcing a save from Harrison before hitting the post in the 93rd minute. Despite a late offensive from the Pitmen deep into stoppage time, Kidsgrove defended well and came away with the three points.
Hednesford Town; Rose, Rowe, Taylor (Sparkes 96), Johnson, Roberts, Holness (Sutherland 72), Trickett-Smith, Spence, Stevenson (Duku 72), McHale, Bearne. Subs not used; Barnes-Homer, Alamu-Tajudeen.
Kidsgrove Athletic; Harrison, Goode, Morley (Lazenby 96), Shotton, Rhodes (Diskin 51), Sutton, Bromfield, Ofosu, Rhead, Bott (Adu-Gyamfi 55), Hatton (Stubbs 55). Sub not used; Allen
