Hednesford Town ended their run of six straight league defeats with a performance which brought back memories of those heady days in 2008 when ‘The Pitmen' would regularly bulldoze teams home and away.

From first minute to last Hednesford bossed a Marine side who were looking to make a push for a play-off spot. Their chances were simply blown out of the water by a confident and assured display which belied Hednesford's shocking form of late.

Dean Edwards' side will no doubt be overjoyed with three goals and an important clean sheet. Ben Harbutt was handed a starting place ahead of Decio Gomes and the youngster can be very proud of his performance, as can the strong midfield partnership of Draper and Briggs.

Draper had an opportunity to make his mark on the game within the first sixty seconds when his strong run through the Marine midfield was ended when his shot ballooned over the bar. The away side found their rhythm very quickly in the opening ten minutes and it was Draper who had another chance from a Briggs corner on seven minutes. The ex-Stafford player was just unable to keep his header down.

Marine forced Rapinder Gill to complete some sterling defensive work on twelve minutes when Freddie Potter advanced down the right wing and put in a looping cross which evaded everyone including Brock. Gill stepped in at the far post and made sure the advancing Marine attack weren't able to capitalise by putting it out for a corner.

Despite that scare it was only a matter of time before Hednesford were going to open the scoring and the goal came on eighteen minutes when Steve Hussey passed the ball across the pitch straight to Briggs who advanced towards the area, took a touch and despatched the ball firmly into the far corner. The confidence so desperately lacking over the past months returned with vigour after the goal and Hednesford looked in danger of running away with the game.

Briggs was at the centre of a good move again when on twenty-four minutes his speculative left foot shot swerved just wide of the post. Ross Dyer got in on the action after twenty-seven minutes with a strong run and shot forced Sean Lake to beat the ball clear. Dyer's chance was created by some strong battling play by Matt Lewis making his Pitmen debut.

Draper found himself in acres of space and tried his luck form distance again after thirty-seven minutes but his looping shot dipped too late and was easily seen over the bar by Lake.
A chipped corner from Briggs a minute later was met with real power and aplomb by Danny Harvey up from the back and the ball crashed against the cross bar with the Marine defence left powerless to act.

As ‘The Pitmen' fans applauded their team off the pitch when the first half came to a close, for a change, the only problem was that the away side had managed to score just the one goal.

A scrappy beginning to the second half came to life after fifty-eight minutes with Matt Lewis securing a second goal for the Pitmen. A square pass from Dyer when his hard work had put him clear down the right left Lewis with a fairly simple finish to double the away sides' advantage.

Four minutes later and Hednesford were in dreamland as Dyer was eventually awarded the third goal to well and truly wrap the game up. Draper was found with a ball in from the left and his lob across goal presented Dyer with a simple header in to score. Dyer did everything right but the retreating Potter on the line handled the ball and looked to have prevented the goal from being scored. The referee went over to consult his lineswoman and she confirmed the ball had actually crossed the line; the goal was given and Freddie Potter was cautioned for un-gentlemanly conduct.

Following the third goal Hednesford made a professional job of seeing the game out with Dyer missing a one-on-one when it was easier to score after sixty-seven minutes and Marine's only chance coming after a bad mistake from Marshall wasn't punished by Shaun Tuck.

As the chilly Spring night closed in and the sun began to set on yet another Saturday afternoon in the Unibond League ‘The Pitmen' can be happy that when they wake up tomorrow morning the league table will not be something to avoid. The manner in which every player, from goalkeeper to striker, gave their all, played with passion and showed that Hednesford can still win games when it matters was a pleasure to see.

More of the same should be expected when the biggest home game of the season rolls round next Saturday with FC United of Manchester the visitors to Keys Park. A bumper away attendance will mean a normally quiet Saturday afternoon will be filled with atmosphere and anticipation as the promotion chase hots up with Hednesford back on the charge once more. What a difference a win makes.


Marine
Lake, Potter, Latham, Lynch, Farley, Hussey (Cumiskey 65), Woolcott, Lipson, Tuck, O'Donnell (McShane 65), Doyle,
Subs Not Used - McCarthy, McDermott, Green

Hednesford Town
Brock, Gill (Edwards 82), Maguire, Harbutt, Harvey, Marshall, Hall, Briggs (Durrell 72), Lewis (Gomes 82), Dyer, Draper,
Referee - Mr P. Kettlewell (Lancaster)

Attendance - 273

Chris Brewerton