> 21.4.2007

7

 That's all folks, as they say, as the Pitmen's season is ended with a meek goalless draw at home to struggling Ashton United this afternoon

Manager Phil Starbuck stuck with the same side that forced a draw out of play-off contenders Guiseley on Monday, leaving an attacking bench to bring on if needs be. as it was, they probably could have played all of their attacking players and still not scored, such was the lack of creativity

Ten minutes in, and Gary Kharas could have given Ashton the lead, but his ball across goal was neither a shot nor a cross, and sailed out of play; this after he had turned Tom Marshall inside out on the edge of the area

Back came Hednesford, with Ross Dyer heading wide of goal after being set up by Danny Bacon, who is still searching for his first goal for the Pitmen

Ryan Young had to be alert to deny Tom Baker with a brilliant flying save from a free kick on twenty minutes. At the other end, there was very little in the way of attacking threat, with the likes of Dyer and Darren Alexander strangely subdued

The only real chance of the first half fell to Ross Adams, who just failed to get on the end of a Dyer header at the far post with the goal at his mercy two minutes before half time

The second half, unfortunately, was just as uninspiring to the paying public, with chances at a premium at both ends. A point was useful to Ashton, who had spent the majority of the season at the wrong end of the table, hence a defensive display from the visitors. The only time they threatened the Hednesford area was when the Pitmen gifted them chances, with Tom Taylor taking advantage of a real mess in the Pitmen's defence to fire just wide of goal

Chris White almost deflected the resultant corner into his own net, and was grateful for Iain Screaton's clearance on the line

Bacon's shooting had been the topic of conversation for a number of Hednesford supporters over the previous weeks, and he did little to calm the doubters with another wild shot on the hour that flew well wide of goal

Marshall wasted another free kick, sending it high over the bar, and indeed the stand, as the natives became restless at their side's inability to create a single clear-cut chance

On came Justin Jenkins - cue the long ball game up to the big man, as the need for three points became desperate. Indeed, all of the big guns were thrown on for the last ten minutes, with Jon Douglas and Dave Whittaker also on

Douglas could have won it with a smart volley that flew wide, and Bacon watched in frustration as Ashton keeper Lee Bracey saved his late effort

And so, it became a mathematical impossibility  for the Pitmen to reach the play-offs, with many fans dismayed at the way the team has imploded over the last two and a half months   cds

Kendal Town (A)

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Action from keys Park:  1. Chalky White, still bandaged up, still battling  2. Ross Adams gets close attention  3. still no goals for Danny Bacon in a Hednesford shirt

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