I must start this match report with a big thank you to everyone who helped out during the previous week to help get this game on after the floodlight problem and to Chasetown secretary John Franklyn for his patience.  Also an apology to everyone from me for being a little stressed for my first match as Youth Team Secretary!

Although we haven’t had chance to play many friendlies during the close season, training has gone well and the team are starting to play well together. 

The first chance of the game came after 4 minutes when a NICK GLOVER free kick from the edge of the box was headed on by SEAN TURNER but was saved by Chasetown keeper and former Hednesford keeper Jordan Money.  The ball was played out and Chasetown went on the counter attack with a shot just wide.  As the game settled down Hednesford came more into the game with good work by JAKE AUSTIN and JACK HEPPLE before the Chasetown defence cleared.  On 10 minutes a LIAM FLYNN free kick was chased down by Chasetown’s Joseph Robinson but a weak shot was collected by FLYNN.  A Chasetown free kick into the box was met with a good clearance from MARK BRADBURY and he also met the follow-up shot.

After some Chasetown pressure Hednesford began to press forward again and after a throw from the left TURNER headed just wide after 20 minutes.  The next Hednesford attack came from a free kick which fell to HEPPLE for a good shot which was cleared and AUSTIN’S follow up shot was blocked.  As we moved into the last part of the first half a SEAN TURNER header was cleared and a good shot from the right by ROB STEVENSON goes across goal and is narrowly missed by HEPPLE with the chance to give the young Pitmen the lead.  Keeper Flynn comes out to stop Chasetown’s Lee Wright but can only get a hand to the ball, a MIKE JONES tackle and a clearance by BRADBURY for a corner calms the Hednesford defence.  The resulting corner is headed over by Chasetown’s Jake Crook.  The first half comes to an end with a great save by LIAM FLYNN.

The start to the second half is fairly quiet with the only notable attack on goal a Hednesford free kick after 55 minutes which is cleared.  After 65 minutes Hednesford started to pile the pressure on the Chasetown defence with a great run by TURNER before passing to STEVENSON who is unlucky not to score.  5 minutes later JOSHUA ALLEN-NOBLE makes an excellent run forward before crossing to TURNER but the danger is cleared by Chasetown.  The Hednesford attack continues with a great run forward by substitute STEVE DAVIES and his shot opens the scoring.  1 – 0 TO THE PITMEN.

Chasetown quickly come back at Hednesford with former Pitmen Reece Swetman leading the way resulting in a good block by keeper FLYNN and a MARK BRADBURY clearance off the line.  Further attacks forward by Chasetown are well dealt with by the Hednesford defence before a Hednesford counter attack on 80 minutes is dealt with by Chasetown.  As the second half drew to a close a free kick by MIKE JONES to the edge of the box is crossed in and headed on before the shot is pushed onto the bar by Jordan Money.  As Hednesford started to think the 3 points were all theirs the referee’s whistle blows after a foul in the box and a penalty to Chasetown is given.  A good penalty and although LIAM FLYNN gets a hand to it the ball nestles in the back of the net.  1 – 1.  There was just time for a Chasetown substitute before the referee signals the end of the game.

A great first game of the season in front of a good crowd with the draw probably being the fairest result after good attacking play from both sides and some great defensive clearances and saves by both keepers.

Pitmen Team: Flynn, Burns, Foyle, Bradbury, Jones, Glover, Austin, Turner, Hepple, Stevenson, Allen-Noble.  Subs: Davies (65 mins for Austin) Bishop (71 mins for Hepple) Smallman (81 mins for Stevenson) Spencer, Bills

The Youth Team’s next home game is on Tuesday the 1^st September against Nuneaton Town so let’s hope both the 1^st Team and Youth tem come away with three points apiece next week.  We look forward to seeing you next week.

Dorinda HTFC Youth Secretary