> 23.2.2008

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Could those elusive play-offs be within reach? That's the question some Hednesford fans are asking tonight as the Pitmen continued their recent run of form with a well-earned victory over a bad-tempered Worksop side at Keys Park this afternoon.  There was only one change to the side that beat Prescot the previous week, with skipper Tom Marshall making his long-awaited return from injury - he replaced Tom Birch, who returned to Hinckley United after his loan expired

The Pitmen were straight on the attack, and many in the main stand had not even taken their seats when the Pitmen took the lead. Marshall's raking ball found Ross Dyer scampering towards goal; despite a Worksop defender doing his best to put Dyer off, the youngster fought off his challenge and hit a shot that Tigers keeper Steve Hernandez got a hand to, but could not stop the ball trickling over the line

The Pitmen had their tails up, and Rob Davies, eager to make amends after last week's red card, fired in a shot at goal that Hernandez saved

Worksop responded with an effort over the bar from Paul Stansfield on seven minutes that Ben Scott had made a hash of a shot from long range

The visitors were putting themselves about a bit, with two Worksop players cautioned inside the first fifteen minutes for poor tackles. Indeed, it was to be their undoing over the game as the Pitmen took advantage of the away side's indiscipline

Try as they might, the Pitmen could not  extend their lead during a frustrating half. Wayne Dyer's long range effort was blocked, before Davies attempted to beat Hernandez with a free kick, but cleared the wall and the crossbar

Worksop's temperamental approach to the game was costing them dearly, as their heavy challenges left three of their players needing extensive treatment. One of which was former Hednesford loanee Terry Henshaw, who was cut after a typically bustling tackle

Liam McDonald almost grabbed a second for the Pitmen as half time approached, collecting a Davies cross, but only firing wide of goal

It was left to top scorer Ross Dyer to put the Pitmen two up at the break; a Davies corner was headed back across goal for Dyer to stoop and head home from close range

Worskop's top scorer, the giant Andy White, could have given the visitors a lifeline right on the half time whistle, but missed the target with his cross-shot

Half time saw a number of heated exchanges between the Worksop management at the officials, but all this fuss did very little to improve matters on the pitch, as Dyer went after his hat-trick goal; moments after the restart, watching as Hernandez turned his shot away for a corner

Worksop's Steve Akers was lucky not to be red-carded for a comical dive in the area just six minutes after half time, with many Hednesford fans demanding action against such blatant cheating. The referee, who was actually having a decent match - a rarity in the UniBond league this season - did have to dust down his red card just before the hour mark. Antony Jackson's foul on Mario Pedro led to a fair amount of pushing a shoving, before the referee sent the Worksop man off for the challenge on the Portuguese player

The Pitmen made their numerical advantage count with a third goal twenty minutes from time. Rory May, improving with every game in a Hednesford shirt, was hauled down by Stansfield just inside the area, with the referee immediately pointing to the spot. Despite everyone expecting Ross Dyer to step up and claim his hat-trick, namesake Wayne took the ball and sent Hernandez the wrong way to put the Pitmen out of sight

Ross Dyer could have grabbed his third, but failed to hit the target with a shot wide of goal after being set up by Sam Hall

Worksop did get a consolation goal eleven minutes from time, with Kevin Davies seizing upon a rare error by Ben Brown to fire a fine shot past Scott to reduce arrears

David Brown and Alan Nagington made late appearances, with Brown not lasting the distance, hobbling off in added time and being replaced by Chad Sheppard  cds

Whitby Town (A) 

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Action from Keys Park:  1. Mr. Consistent Ross Adams watches on  2. he's back! Masha returns to the side with a captain's performance   3. Rob Davies takes a free kick as the Pitmen press

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