> 17.2.2007

  Hednesford's attempts to close the gap on league leaders AFC Telford United were frustrated today as they failed to unlock a resilient and resourceful Radcliffe side who have been struggling for form recently. Manager Phil Starbuck included his one of his two new signings in the squad, starting with striker Justin Jenkins up front, but leaving Lee Soar out of the side

 On the bench, two of the Pitmen's brightest youth team players, striker Reece Styche and midfielder Carl Ellis, received call-ups to join fellow attacker Dave Whittaker amongst the replacements

 The Pitmen started with their usual urgency as they pushed for an early goal. Ross Dyer, playing in yet another different position, was first to get a shot in, flashing a shot across the face of goal on three minutes after being set up by skipper Chris White

 It was Dyer again a few moments later, but his effort was high and wide after collecting a Phil Hadland pass. As the Pitmen pressed, the new boy Jenkins was making his whereabouts known, roughing up the Radcliffe defence with his physical presence, in the form of the likes of Dave Hanson, Kevin Francis or Steve Anthrobus in years gone by

 In midfield, Iain Screaton was performing to his usual high standards, breaking up any Radcliffe moves and getting the Pitmen moving forward. However, he could do nothing about a Borough chance on twenty six minutes when Ryan Young denied Lee Hendley after the Radcliffe man drilled in a cross-shot

 Jenkins got an effort on in on goal on thirty two minutes, but his header fell wide of the target. This followed a header from Tom Marshall, which also sailed wide of the Radcliffe goal

 The home side attempted to squeeze a goal out of Radcliffe before the break, but Hadland fired in a shot that fell narrowly wide after good work from Mario Pedro out wide

Into the second half, and the frustration mounted both on the pitch and in the stands as Radcliffe held firm despite everything the Pitmen could throw at them. A Screaton corner was missed by Tim Dittmer in the visitor's goal, and in the scramble that ensued, Marshall shot was blocked from close range

 Danny Bacon could have given the hosts a priceless lead on sixty four minutes, twisting well and firing in a shot on the turn that just cleared the far post, with Dittmer beaten

 Despite a lack of attempts at the other end, Radcliffe could have won it in the last fifteen minutes when Hendley miscontrolled a Matt O'Neill ball in the area when he was clear to fire past Young

Hadland had a great chance to win it a minute later, taking advantage on a bobbling ball to fire wide of the post after a defender failed to get control of the ball

 On came Whittaker for Bacon, and his first act was to hit a shot wide of goal. Both sides had chances to finish the game in the last few minutes, with Screaton and Jenkins both failing to score with efforts at one end, followed by an effort from Ian Fitzptarick, heading a Tony Whealing free kick wide of goal

Whittaker's injury time effort from Whittaker pretty much summed up the game - good build-up, but the final effort sailed high over the bar. One point gained, or two lost? You decide   cds

Witton Albion (A)

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Whittaker

Bacon

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Action from Keys Park: 1. Phil Hadland is tied up with his marker  2. Danny Bacon makes a run down the wing   3. new boy Justin Jenkins is up for a set-piece

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