> 23.8.2008

.

The Pitmen made it back-to-back wins at Keys Park this week to continued their good start to the new campaign with a fine win over previous league leaders Bradford Park Avenue this afternoon. Manager Dean Edwards kept faith in the same side that beat Nantwich Town on Tuesday night, but included teenager Reece Styche amongst the substitutes for the first time this season in place of Adam Connolly

Bradford had started life in the UniBond Premier with a brace of 4-0 wins, and offered a glimpse of their quality by forcing a very early corner that was headed away from goal by Danny Harvey

The front three of the Pitmen has looked a real handful in the first two games of the season, with people commenting that it is only a matter of time before they give a defence a real hammering. Two of the three linked up to give the home side the lead after seven minutes, with Ross Dyer winning the ball before playing in Tyrone Barnett, who coolly fired past Bradford keeper Jon Worsnop

However, Bradford came straight back at the Pitmen, looking for an immediate reply. Steve Connors played the ball to Tom Baker, who fired over from eighteen yards out. Stuart Brock had to be alert two minutes later to deny former Alfreton man Chris Bettney, who hit a free kick straight at the former Villa man

Brock had to be on top form five minutes later to keep Hednesford in front, making a terrific save to deny Chris Hall from close range, after the former Stalybridge striker got on the end of another Connors ball

Barnett was giving his all for the cause, and almost grabbed his - and Hednesford's - second mid-way through the half. Briggs found the onrushing Barnett with a great ball, but the forward dragged his shot wide of goal with only Worsnop to beat

The Pitmen seemed to have weathered the Bradford storm, and launched a number of attacks of their own. Briggs could have added to their advantage, but curled a free kick narrowly over the bar. This was followed by a great chance for Dyer, who got on the end of a Sean Platt cross, but headed wide of goal

There was a huge let-off for the Pitmen on thirty five minutes when Tom Marshall's misjudgment saw Bettney race clear of goal, but fortunately for 'Masha', his shot missed the target

Dyer was close to grabbing a goal just before the break, stretching to reach Barnett's cross, but missing by inches at the far post

Last season's top scorer grabbed the goal his efforts deserved right on half time; Briggs played a free kick into the area, with Barnett heading the ball into Dyer's path to allow the youngster to fire home from just inside the penalty area

Marshall almost gifted Bradford a goal for a second time in the game just after the break. A poor throw-in from the centre back presented a chance to Hall, but Brock was alert to the danger, narrowing the angle and forcing the striker to panic and fire over the bar

Bradford grabbed a lifeline after a spell of pressure just before the hour mark. Bettney's run and cross found Chris Hall, who managed to hold off Harvey and get enough on the ball to turn it past Brock - if you pay that kind of money at this level, it is a return you expect

Bradford were the ones with their tails up, and they could have equalised when the same combination of Bettney and Hall forced Brock into a save that deflected off the striker and wide of goal

Despite the pressure at the back, the home side kept plugging away up front, and were rewarded with a third goal sixteen minutes from the end. Marshall's lofted free kick saw Dyer challenge Worsnop in the air, with the striker just getting enough on the ball to head it over the line

Despite the two-goal advantage, Bradford kept plugging away, with Brock making another fine save to deny Mark Bett. He was also equal to a fierce driven free kick from Connors two minute later

Elliott Durrell, on for Louie Briscoe could have sealed the win late on, but fired wide of goal after getting on the end of a header from Barnett

A late goal for Hall was disallowed for offside, much to the relief of the Pitmen fans, who now look forward to a Bank Holiday Monday trip to Witton Albion - never a happy hunting ground for Hednesford, but with form such as this, you never know  cds

Witton Albion (A) 

.

.Durrell

1

2

.

.15

Briscoe

.16

.

.17

.

Images / Information (unless accredited), are © Copyright Pitmenweb 1999-2008                                                                                                         Home Page