Dyer the Hat Trick Hero as Pitmen Promotion Push Shifts Back into Gear

Hednesford Town have a superb hat-trick by fit again striker Ross Dyer to thank for winning three vital points in the Unibond title race at Leigh yesterday. A professional performance saw ‘The Pitmen' banish the memory of three straight defeats and get their season back on track. With Eastwood Town going down to a 1-0 defeat at Cammell Laird, Hednesford now lurk one point behind the leaders having played a game more. A titanic battle between the top two is in store at Keys Park on February 21^st.

An open game played at Leigh Genesis' new stadium saw ‘The Pitmen' start well with Durrell making inroads down the right in the first minute. It was Leigh, however, who fashioned the first attempt on goal after six minutes with Andy Heald shooting wide when well placed from the edge of the area.

Both teams battled hard in the opening ten minutes with Dean Craven finding space and opportunity down the Hednesford left wing with Nia Bayunu having a torrid time defensively.

Despite the promotion chasers pushing on for an opening goal it was Leigh who came closest on thirteen minutes when some smooth passing cut through the Hednesford midfield and found Karl Brown clean through; only last gasp defending by Rapinder Gill and a good blocking tackle prevented a goal.

Leigh's pressure continued and once more the away sides' back line was called upon for some brave defensive work. Harvey was the man this time as Steve Settle's shot struck the defender and the resulting corner was easily cleared.

Ross Dyer was looking lively up front and with thirteen minutes gone he turned well and slipped a pass through to Elliott Durrell, his first touch took him towards goal only for a combination of defender and goalkeeper to eventually get the ball away.

Leigh's Karl Brown was the first player to be cautioned on twenty-one minutes when he jumped into a tackle in the middle of the field and aggressively brought down the Hednesford's left wing back Dean Craven.

Craven was again involved after twenty-four minutes when his strong running took him past the struggling right back only to be chopped down by Alex Cuncliffe inside the penalty area. Dyer picked the ball up and despatched the resulting penalty through Danny Morton's grasp and into the net.

Hednesford began to control the game after the opening goal and further joy was found down the left when Elliott Durrell turned Bayunu and floated an inch perfect cross onto the head of Ross Dyer. The striker guided the ball past Morton in the Leigh goal to add to his tally and double Hednesford's lead on thirty-one minutes.

Leigh were struggling to get a hold of the game and as the first half came to an end Ross Draper's strong header from a Briggs corner on forty-two minutes came back off the cross bar. The ball then fell to Durrell who failed to capitalise on the opportunity after some real last-ditch defending by Steve Edwards.

Steve Settle's deflected shot went narrowly wide and into the side netting in first half stoppage time but as the players went off for the interval ‘The Pitmen' were looking comfortable and in control.

The afternoon got even worse for the home side almost immediately after the re-start when, after some good approach play, Dyer secured his hat-trick with a good finish from fourteen yards out. The third goal put the game beyond doubt and Hednesford were left with the task of keeping Leigh's ineffectual front two quiet for the rest of the game.

In truth, Hednesford could easily have added to their lead on two more occasions on fifty four and fifty-seven minutes with Draper and Briggs forcing excellent saves from the busy Leigh goalkeeper.

As the clock ticked past the hour mark Leigh scored a consolation goal when some good counter attacking football saw Phil Marsh outpace Danny Harvey and slide the ball past the onrushing Hednesford goalkeeper, Danny Woodhall.

From the resulting kick-off Hednesford again came close to scoring a fourth goal when Ross Dyer broke down the right and crossed for Durrell to shoot. His shot was blocked well by the keeper and with the goal open wide Draper blazed over from twelve yards when it was easier to score.

On sixty-five minutes Rapinder Gill took a nasty knock caused by a studs-up tackle from Chris Thompson; earning him a yellow card and some strong words from the Hednesford fans in the process. A long stoppage ensued and it wasn't until the eightieth minute that the game came alive once more.

Steve Settle had two consecutive shots blocked by Gill and Harvey was again called upon to make an important defensive header. ‘The Pitmen' were sitting back and allowing Leigh to keep possession for long periods although the home side lacked the cutting edge to create any clear cut chances.

Hednesford were able to counter attack with pace and as the Leigh legs began to tire a combination of wasteful finishing and solid goalkeeping from Dale Barrett on eighty-four minutes and Dyer on eight-eight minutes failed to add to the tally.

As the final whistle blew, the travelling contingent were overjoyed with a result which re-affirmed ‘The Pitmen' as viable title challengers and stoked up the pressure on, until Saturday, a seemingly unbeatable Eastwood Town. A long trip up the M6 to Kendal next Saturday is the next test for Dean Edwards' men and a positive result will set up a potential title-decider in two weeks time.

Hednesford Town

Woodhall, Hall, Craven, Gill, Harvey, Marshall, Briggs, Durrell, Anderson, Dyer, Draper,

Subs Not Used - Maguire, Platt, Edwards, Sheppard,

Leigh Genesis

Morton, Bayunu, King, Edwards, Page, Brown (Whitnam 90+1), Heald (Hill 48), Cuncliffe (Lambert 82), Thompson, Marsh, Settle,

Subs Not Used - McHugh, Porter

Referee Mr J.Madine (Liverpool)

Attendance - 344

Chris Brewerton