The Pitmen travelled to Chesire to face Runcorn Linnets looking to put right the surprise midweek defeat against Kidsgrove Athletic. Runcorn had begun the season with two league draws, while the Pitmen had registered two wins out of three.
The first half was a scrappy affair that played into the hands of the hosts, who pumped long balls forward and looked dangerous from set pieces. The Pitmen struggled to get a foothold in the game and largely found themselves defending during the first period. A good move from the Pitmen in the 17th minute saw Manny Duku and Rob Stevenson combine to create a chance for Jack Bearne, whose shot was easily dealt with by Bayleigh Passant. Ryan Brooke had a couple of chances for Linnets, firstly shooting over from long range, before a headed effort was saved by Jack Rose. Dan Trickett-Smith saw a good shot charged down, while Sion Spence went just wide with the follow-up. The breakthrough came for the Linnets in the 44th minute when Eden Gumbs headed home from a Luke Wall corner to give the home side a half time lead.
HT 1-0
If the first half belonged to Runcorn, the second could not have been any different as the Pitmen showed their true quality. Ten minutes into the half the equaliser came as Manny Duku squared the ball for Rob Stevenson to finish. The Pitmen went ahead three minutes later when Dan Trickett-Smith looped a header over the keeper. The goals kept coming for the visitors when Jack Bearne and Duku combined to cause problems in the area, allowing Sion Spence to score from close range. The Pitmen were by now totally dominant and playing some excellent football. Manny Duku advanced into the area and was fouled, he got up to blast the penalty into the roof of the net to make it 4-1. The Linnets defence disappeared six minutes later allowing substitute Zidan Sutherland to nip in and score a fifth. For the Linnets Sam Barratt pulled one back with a good strike from the edge of the box on 86′ minutes. However the last word would be had by the Pitmen when Kory Roberts headed on a corner allowing Sutherland to tap in and claim his second. The final result 6-2, sent the Pitmen to the top of the league.
Runcorn Linnets; Passant, Wylie (Barratt 6), Short, Welsh, Washington, Kay, Moseley, Jones, Brooke, Gumbs, Wall. Subs not used; Bowen, Hooper, Eleverstone.
Hednesford Town; Rose, Rowe, Taylor, Johnson, Roberts, Holness, Trickett-Smith (Alamu-Tajudeen 75), Spence (Sparkes 81), Stevenson (Barnes-Homer 87), Duku (Gwilt 81), Bearne (Sutherland 77).
