Pre-Season Friendly

> 7.8.2007

A very young Hednesford XI chalked up win number three of pre-season with a bizarre win over UniBond Division One side Gresley Rovers at the Moat Ground this evening. The evening started badly for the Pitmen after youth team goalkeeper Matt Rogers failed to show before the game. With no other substitute keepers available, manager Phil Starbuck opted to play youth team right back Michael Clarke between the sticks

The home side clearly fancied their chances with the opposition without a recognised goalkeeper, and Chris Sleith was first to test the young Hednesford defence with a shot that cannoned off the post and into the arms of Clark 

Despite the lack of goalkeeper, the Pitmen pressed forward in search of goals. On eleven minutes, a Danny Blair pass to fellow striker Peter Knox allowed the former Eastwood Town hitman to drill the ball past Dave Clarke in the Gresley goal to give the Pitmen the lead

There were chances for the home side to draw level, with Luke Keen failing to finish from close range. Andy Simpson tested Clark's ability as a keeper with a header that the youngster did well to get a hand to. He also did well to clear the ball after averting it from danger

Danny Blair caused Clarke to very quickly backtrack and scramble for the ball mid way through the half with a cheeky chip, but the triallist from Tamworth just got back in time. Blair made amends with a marvellous goal on thirty four minutes, striking the ball perfectly from fully twenty five yards out to give Clarke no chance  

Gresley rallied, and got a goal back just before the break. Keen, who had missed so embarrassingly earlier, finally got on the scoresheet, tapping home from close range after a corner was not cleared

Just six minutes into the restart, and the Pitmen restored their two goal advantage, with Knox on target again. Jay Birch whipped the ball into the area from the right, allowing Knox to head past Clarke from close range

It was end to end stuff, as Gresley once again responded with a goal of their own nearly an hour into the game. Karl Payne took advantage of Clark's inexperience as a goalkeeper, firing in a long range effort that the teenager spilled into the net

Clark's efforts as a goalkeeper were finally brought to an end when Starbuck himself relieved the youngster of his duties for the last nine minutes. However, he stayed on the pitch, playing as an outfield player for the remainder of the game. Substitute Jordan Francis had a late chance to add to the scoreline, but his header dropped wide of goal  cds

Sheffield United (H)

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