> 26.4.2008

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Hednesford's 2007-2008 season ended with back-to-back home defeats, as the Pitmen turned in an abject performance that will not have the masses rushing back to Keys park in pre-season. Manager Phil Starbuck, struggling to keep his players motivated after the season fizzled out many weeks previously, made one change to the side that defeated Ossett Town the previous week, giving teenager Adam Fussell his first team debut at left back - Rob Davies was dropped from the squad altogether to make way for the youngster

It was a god start for the Pitmen, with the sun shining down on Keys Park for their last game of the season. Chad Sheppard tested North Ferriby keeper Steve Wilson with an early free kick that the visiting number one turned over the bar under pressure from a number of players

North Ferriby's number ten Alex Davidson was to prove a real thorn in the Pitmen's side all afternoon, and he started as he meant to go on with a mazy run that took out Paul Robinson and Sheppard. His shot was beaten away by Paul Evans for a corner kick

The Pitmen offered very little in the way of an attacking threat in the early stages, with only Fussell able to muster a shot in the first ten minutes. Wilson dropped a David Brown cross, allowing Ross Dyer to pick the ball up and lay it off to Fussell, whose shot was blocked as it headed towards goal

Back came North Ferriby, whose future in the UniBond Premier was under threat unless they could grab all three points. Nathan Hotte fired in a fine shot from just outside the penalty area which only just missed the target on twelve minutes

The better chances continued to fall to the visitors, with a David Cooke cross just failing to find Kevin Larvin at the far post for what would have been a simple tap-in

Davidson went on another one of his jinking runs, beating Tom Marshall all ends up before firing over the stand behind the goal

The best the Pitmen could muster came courtesy of the head of Alan Nagington, whose tame header was held easily by Wilson. Mario Pedro also tried his luck from long range with an effort that flew high and wide of goal

Larvin was next to test Evans with a low shot that the Hednesford number one dealt with well. This was followed up by a Russell Fry shot just before the break that Evans saw over the bar

Evans almost gifted the opposition their vital goal just moments into the second half, attempting a series of kick ups on the edge of the area. As he went to boot the ball away, Davidson managed to get in the way of the ball but to Evans's relief the ball rebounded away from goal, rather than towards it

After giving Fussell his first start for the club, Starbuck was forced into giving another one of his teenagers a run, with Ben Harbutt coming on for the injured David Brown just ten minutes after the restart

Ross Dyer almost added to his goal tally for the season with a typically marauding run on the hour mark, but his final touch was too heavy, allowing Wilson to claim the ball at the striker's feet

Just a minute later, and the away side grabbed their UniBond Premier lifeline. Larvin, who had impressed alongside Davidson, got in front of the Hednesford defence to dive in and glance Andy Thompson's cross past Evans from close range

Gary Bradshaw, previously a scorer against the Pitmen, came on for North Ferriby, and almost grabbed a second goal just a few minutes after appearing. David Cooke did all the leg work, making a run from deep inside his own half before playing in the striker, who fired wide

North Ferriby's Michael Price ensured is was to be a nervy last few minutes for the Villagers, as he brought down Harbutt with a very crude challenge out on the Pitmen's right hand side and was promptly shown the red card

From the free kick, Fussell's ball found Harbutt, but his effort was brilliantly saved by Wilson from close in

the referee could have evened up the numbers with seven minutes remaining when skipper Marshall brought down Bradshaw as he headed towards goal. The official decided that Paul Robinson was covering, and only showed 'Masha' a yellow card

North Ferriby continued to move forward, in search of a killer second goal. With result going their way in other games, they could afford the luxury of off-target shots from Bradshaw and fellow substitute Mal Osendiende late on

The full-time whistle saw jubilant scenes from everyone connected with North Ferriby, but left the Pitmen supporters and players to reflect on a frustrating, inconsistent and under-achieving campaign cds

Walsall (H) PSF

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Action from Keys Park:  1. Paul Robinson in a North Ferriby sandwich    2. David Brown is marked up   3. Ben Brown waits for a corner   4. Adam Fussell - an impressive first start for the Pitmen

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