Pre-Season Friendly

> 2.8.2008

.

Hednesford extended their unbeaten run in pre-season to four matches, taking another positive step forward this afternoon at UniBond Division One side Colwyn Bay. Manager Dean Edwards gave the travelling fans an idea of his intentions for the new season by once again sticking to predominantly to the same XI that played Macclesfield last Monday, with only Ross Dyer missing through injury; Chris Morris deputised for Hednesford's top scorer last term

 The Pitmen were straight into the action, and almost took an early lead. Ross Draper fired in a warning shot, followed by an off-target effort from Tyrone Barnett

Skipper Tom Marshall, who had played for the reserved at Bromsgrove on Thursday night, went even closer on five minutes. He picked up the ball before hitting a rising shot that crashed against the crossbar and came back out into play

Barnett was having a frustrating afternoon in front of goal so far, and he once again failed to hit the target with a header that dropped wide of goal following a cross from Ludovic Quistin

Colwyn Bay resorted to a physical approach to the game in an attempt to quell the pressure from the Pitmen. Mid-way through the half, their aggressive stance was highlighted by the referee, who asked the Colwyn Bay manager to consider substituting Robbie Williams, who had failed to entertain the crowd with a number of mistimed challenges

The home side came back into the game as an attacking force as the half went on, with former Ashton United man Dean Canning getting on the end of a cross to head wide of Stuart Brock's goal on thirty two minutes

After another new Bay signing, former Leek man Rob Hopley, had tested Brock's reactions, Canning should have given the hosts the lead, but missed a gilt-edged opportunity when he somehow headed wide of goal from close range with Brock exposed ten minutes from the break

After Williams' run in with the referee earlier in the half, it was Hednesford's turn to face the wrath of the referee, with Dean Edwards advised to remove Chad Sheppard from the field of play at the break. He duly did, replacing him with Nicky Carter. Sheppard must learn to control his aggression if he is to make the most of his undoubted talent, as he already has the 'distinction' of being sent off in the pre-season game at Belper a few weeks ago

The Pitmen came out refreshed in the second half, and went back on the attack in the early stages. Morris, hoping to impress the management team with his first start for the first XI, shot wide after collecting a free kick from Carter just a couple of minutes into the restart

Louie Briscoe, who has failed to score in the two games since his superb brace against Stoke City last week, made way for brilliant young Brazilian Orlando Junior just before the hour mark

Marshall was back in the action on sixty two minutes, going close with a drive that missed the Colwyn Bay goal by a matter of inches

It was all Hednesford at this stage, and substitute Carter became the second Pitmen player to rattle the woodwork two minutes later with a shot that bounced off the post. From the resulting action, Barnett missed the goal with a right-footed shot

Danny Harvey came close to winning the game for the Pitmen with fifteen minutes left, but his powerful header just missed the target

The pressure finally told eleven minutes from time, with substitute Junior grabbing the winner with his first goal for the club. A long, searching ball saw the forward race towards the area before chipping the ball over the advancing keeper and watching the ball bounce into the empty net 

Dean Edwards will have been impressed with the fighting spirit of the side, although he will have concerns over a late injury to skipper Marshall, as well as the ongoing problem of Sheppard's temper. All roads lead back to Keys Park again, where the Pitmen play arguably the biggest name ever to play at the stadium, with Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers visiting on Wednesday night  cds

Glasgow Rangers (H) 

.

.

Marshall

.15

.16

.17

.

.

Images / Information (unless accredited), are © Copyright Pitmenweb 1999-2008                                                                                                         Fixtures & Results