Hednesford made the short trip to the Bucks Head for their second game of the season and with Paul Casey on holiday, (in the rain, according to the day’s weather report from the man himself!) Adam Smallman took the team, ably assisted by Anthony Davies.  Anthony has joined the coaching staff to help out with training and matches and everyone at Hednesford Town offers a warm welcome.

The young pitmen got off to a good start with an early attack toward the Telford goal resulting in a corner which was taken by LEE FOYLE and although not picked up in the box it fell to ROB STEVENSON before being cleared by the Telford defence.  There was a short delay in proceedings as an injury to former Pitmen Alex Imerfreys resulted in some lengthy treatment before being stretchered off.  We all wish Alex a speedy recovery.  After the restart Hednesford continue to go forward with the most notable chance falling to SEAN TURNER who’s shot from outside the box is tipped over the bar by the Telford Keeper for a corner.

The following part of the game sees good chances for both sides with the biggest threat to Keeper LIAM FLYNN’S goal coming after 21 minutes when he blocks a shot and has to catch the rebound before it crosses the line.  The chances keep going from end to end with a good run from JOSHUA ALLEN-NOBLE (NOBBY) results in a corner which is initially cleared by the Telford defence but is followed up by shots from JAKE AUSTIN and JACK HEPPLE before being collected by the keeper.  As the first half enters the final 15 minutes Telford began to have more chances with good work by the Hednesford defence and keeper FLYNN.  On 38 minutes a Telford attack stopped by the referees whistle for a free kick but this is easily dealt with by the Hednesford wall.  Another Telford run forward results in a corner and a dangerous shot is blocked by MARK BRADBURY and the follow up shot well held by FLYNN.  As the first half draws to a close a Hednesford free kick is fired low into the box by FOYLE and is cleared for a corner.  FOYLE takes the corner which is headed on by BRADBURY towards STEVENSON whose back header goes just over the bar.  After a small Telford threat Hednesford make a good break with a great run by STEVE DAVIES whose shot is blocked and the follow-up shot cleared and Telford are straight on the counter attack with a shot just wide.  Half Time 0-0.

The second half starts much like the first with Hednesford on the attack straight away with a shot that is blocked well by the Telford defence and cleared for a corner.  STEVENSON makes a good run forward and cuts inside for a shot but the Telford defence are again strong and the ball is cleared for a corner.  The game then starts moving from end to end with the excellent Telford number 2 running forward but his shot is punched away by FLYNN and the second shot cleared by MIKE JONES.  It is then Hednesford turn again and a fierce shot from DAVIES is just wide.  Telford then give Hednesford another scare when the number 8 has a long rang shot which is punched clear by FLYNN but the danger is not over as the next shot goes behind the Hednesford defence and only just wide. 

On 55 minutes BRADBURY passes back to keeper FLYNN who boots the ball forward to HEPPLE who continues his run forward and then lobs the keeper with a lovely shot.  1 – 0 to the Pitmen.

Telford are straight back on the counter attack from the restart but the Hednesford defence stand firm.  The game, just like the first half, continues with shots for both sides and Hednesford have another break with HEPPLE running onto the ball but the shot goes just wide and it’s unlucky not to be 2-0.  On 70 minutes Telford are awarded a penalty which also results in a yellow card for Stevenson.  Keeper LIAM FLYNN makes a fantastic save and the ball is cleared by the defence for a corner.  The Hednesford defence who have been so strong don’t deal with the shots into the box and Telford level with a low shot into the bottom left corner. 1 – 1.

The penalty spurs Telford into life and the Hednesford defence has to regroup to keep the scores level with a Telford shot going over the bar.  After 82 minutes Hednesford win a free kick which FOYLE curls towards the top left corner but the keeper just gets his hands to it and pushes the ball out.  Substitute Nick Smith makes a good run forward and crosses to HEPPLE who passes wide to STEVENSON whose shot is saved and cleared for a corner.  The corner is well taken and headed into the box before JONES picks up the clearance, passes to FOYLE who curls the ball towards goal and is unlucky not to give all three points to the Pitmen.  On 86 minutes substitutes SMITH and TOM SPENCER combine and SMITH’S shot goes just over the bar.  Although Hednesford are the dominant side towards the end of this game they cannot find a way through the Telford defence or past the Keeper and this entertaining end to end game ends in a 1 – 1 draw.

Pitmen Team: Flynn, Allen-Noble, Foyle, Turner, Jones, Bradbury, Stevenson, Bishop, Davies, Hepple, Austin.  Subs: Smallman (90 mins for Stevenson) Spencer (82 mins for Davies) Smith (80 mins for Austin) Morton, Onyeaka

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