Yet Another Defeat As Pitmen Grip On Play-Off Hopes Slips Once More

Another demoralising defeat at the hands of Ossett Town saw Dean Edwards and his players widely booed off the pitch as the once league-topping side went out with a whimper. The defeat now makes it ten defeats in eleven games and six straight defeats in the league.

Although the 3-0 score line perhaps flattered Ossett Town it was once again poor defending, a lack of creativity in midfield and all round zero confidence which was Hednesford’s Achilles heel.

Just like the game at North Ferriby in midweek ‘The Pitmen’ started well and showed a desire to put right the wrongs of the last ten matches. Unfortunately the zip and high tempo of their game which blew most teams out of the water in the early part of the season wasn’t evident on Saturday and despite good approach play the final ball was elusive.

In the opening twenty minutes a rather quiet game was controlled, albeit tentatively, by the home side with Ant Maguire impressing at left wing back. Briggs and Draper probed and searched for some opportunity but Ossett Town, buoyed by their vociferous away support, held firm.

The best chance of the half came on thirty minutes when Andy Lee broke down the Ossett left and found himself clear in the area; he rather snatched at his shot and although some fans behind the goal thought his shot had sneaked in he failed to test Danny Woodhall in the Hednesford goal and the ball flashed past the far post.

Hednesford failed to heed the warning signs and, as their game turned flat and ideas faded, a stroke of luck brought the opening goal. A seemingly innocuous ball in from the left by Aiden Savory sailed over Woodhall and found the net off the far post. Bad luck struck the beleaguered home side and from there on in a difficult fight back was in store if three points were to be rescued.

Ross Dyer very nearly equalised and started the recovery when clever play by Hall and Briggs created some space for the cultured midfielder. Briggs’ cross found Dyer’s clever run but his diving header directed the ball into the ground and the ball bounced on top of the bar before going out harmlessly for a goal kick.

The midway break brought yet another disappointing first half to an end and the situation only got worse for Dean Edwards’ men when on fifty-one minutes Ossett striker Tom Greaves burned passed the sluggish Hednesford defence. He took a touch to steady himself and fired the ball past Woodhall into the far corner. The goal was a real sucker punch for players and fans alike but the quality of the finish simply could not have gone unnoticed.

‘The Pitmen’ continued to search for a goal to bring the away side within their reach and only some outstanding defensive work by the man-mountain Ossett defence at a corner in the fifty-fifth minute prevented Draper from forcing the ball into the net.

Ross Dyer wriggled his way through after a perfectly measured pass by Durrell on sixty-five minutes. A confident Dyer earlier in the season would have powered the ball into the net but, as the goalkeeper advanced, he couldn’t quite find the finish to score the first home goal of the day.

Edwards introduced Duane Darby shortly afterwards in the hope that his experience and brawn may be the catalyst for a comeback. The former Rushden and Diamonds talisman looked lively and eager to impress and after good hold up play the thirty-six year old turned sharply and shot towards the goal and an Ossett defender managed to deflect the ball out for a corner. After consulting his linesman the referee awarded an Ossett goal kick and the chance had gone.

The match finished as a contest when, with Hednesford playing an open game in trying to get back on level terms, Woodhall was unable to prevent an Aiden Savory shot squirming over the goal line for the Yorkshire sides’ decisive third goal. Game over.

Despite Hednesford’s best efforts, most notably a Briggs run and shot which smacked the post with ten minutes remaining and concerted pressure in stoppage time, Ossett stood firm and returned up the M1 via the A38 with three points in the bag and faint dreams of play-off glory in their hearts.

All Dean Edwards can now do is move onto the next game. Firstly at home to his former side, Willenhall Town, on Tuesday night in the Birmingham Senior Cup and then the real importance of yet another vital game next Saturday. A trip up to Liverpool and a tricky away fixture against Marine is further opportunity for all the players and management to rescue what has, since the start of 2009, been a devastatingly bad run of form. At least six wins are still required and the games are running out…..

Hednesford Town

Woodhall, Hall, Maguire, Gomes, Harvey (Edwards 62), Marshall, Briggs, Durrell (Darby 65), Barnett, Dyer, Draper

Subs Not Used

Lewis, Cowley, Gill

Ossett Town

Lamb, Hay, Hardaker, Hall (Thornton 77), Riordan, Daly, Baldry, O’Brien, Greaves (Davidson 90+2), Savory, Lee,

Subs Not Used

Kane, Tonks, Kerr

Referee – Mr D.P. Meeson (Newcastle-Under-Lyme)

Attendance

412

Chris Brewerton