Pre-Season Friendly

> 4.8.2007

Hednesford's pre-season campaign is now well into the swing of things after a fine victory over League Two side Wrexham at Keys Park this afternoon. Manager Phil Starbuck continued to keep Hednesford fans guessing as to his first XI, changing the side that beat Rhyl last Saturday again, with a number of more established names available for selection

The Pitmen were straight into the groove, and Gordon Simms almost opened the scoring on three minutes, heading a Simon Forsdick corner narrowly over the bar. Wrexham, fielding an almost full-strength side, responded with an effort from Matty Done that was well-saved by the outstretched legs of Rene Gilmartin, who was to go on to produce a fine performance between the sticks for the Pitmen. On the half hour, Gary Sucharewycz came to the Pitmen's rescue, hacking clear a corner kick that dropped nicely into the six yard box for a number of Wrexham players homing in on the ball

A minute later, the Pitmen took the lead; the exciting Reece Styche, the star of pre-season so far alongside Gilmartin, picked up a throw in, before twisting and clipping the ball over the head of Anthony Williams in the Wrexham goal from an outrageous angle. This kid will surely be a target for higher league clubs if this form continues into the regular season

The home side took the game to their professional opponents during the rest of the first half, producing some quality attacking football as they looked to extend their lead. David Brown's pace down the right was alarming the Welsh side, Forsdick causing problems with his jinking runs down the opposite wing

Indeed, it was the stocky Forsdick who conjured up a ball to create the Pitmen's second goal, just before the break. His inswinging corner was no dealt with by the Wrexham defence, with the ball finding its way through to defender Gordon Simms. The former Wolves man lashed the ball goalwards, with the shot taking a massive deflection off Chris Llewellyn and finding the right hand side of the net, leaving Williams wrongfooted

After a no doubt stern tam talk at the break, Wrexham emerged more focused in the second half, pushing the Pitmen back. The the hosts credit, they held out well, with Gilmartin in inspired form. On the hour, he denied Neil Roberts with a brilliant save from a close range header, then denied Shaun Pejic a few seconds later with a fine low save after the Wrexham man was picked out at a corner. Other than that it was a disjointed performance from Wrexham, with a number of misplaced passes costing them possession again and again. for the Pitmen, Styche forced Williams into a sharp save before Alan Nagington almost poached a third goal for the Pitmen

A number of changes were made as the game drew to a close, with Danny Blair joining the action for his first taste of pre-season since rejoining the club from Grantham last month. Wrexham finally got the goal their pressure deserved with ten minutes left; Levi Mackin firing home a fine goal that finally beat Gilmartin from twenty yards out

Wrexham went in search of an equaliser in the final ten minutes, but met with firm resistance from an improving Hednesford defence, well marshalled by Ross Adams and Simms once again. With three friendlies left, the Pitmen seem to be hitting form at the right time  cds

Gresley Rovers (A)

.15

Action from Keys Park: 1. Ouch! Skipper Dave Macpherson take a challenge full-on   2. David Brown shows off his skills    3. Gary Sucharewycz prepares for a corner    4. Danny Blair returns to a Hednesford shirt

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