> 23.9.2008

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 Hednesford made it four wins from four home matches this season with their biggest total of the season against Matlock Town at Keys Park tonight. Following Saturday's draw at Cammell Laird, manager Dean Edwards made three changes, one of which was enforced. Goalkeeper Stuart Brock's groin injury saw him replaced by new signing Danny Woodhall, whilst Anthony Maguire and Louie Briscoe were dropped to the bench in favour of new signing Asa Charlton and Elliott Durrell respectively

Buoyed by their recent good form at home, the Pitmen started well, with Durrell firing in a warning shot at Matlock's keeper Andy Richmond on four minutes that was only just wide of the post

The home side continued to press in the first quarter, playing some good stuff going forward. Skipper Ross Draper, looking to add to his goal tally this season, almost grabbed a bizarre goal on twenty minutes when he latched on to a loose kick from Richmond before attempting an audacious lob from forty five yards. To Richmond's relief, the ball dropped wide of his post

The first contribution asked of Woodhall was a well fielded take mid-way through the first half, with Simon Barraclough breathing down his neck

Sean Platt, who to many has been one of the most under-rated performers of the season so far, was next to try his luck, darting forward to get on the end of a ball from Durrell, but could not keep his shot down

The Pitmen's pressure finally paid off on the half hour mark, with the in-form Barnett grabbing his fourth goal of the season. Richmond's kicking again left a lot to be desired, sending a ball straight to Tom Marshall, whose header sent Barnett clear. After beating the centre backs for pace, he coolly slid the ball past Richmond to open the scoring

With their tails up, the home side went in search of a second goal. Five minutes later, they felt they should have had a penalty when Barnett's flick appeared to hit a Matlock arm. Despite the protests, the referee failed to award a penalty. As play continued, Draper was crudely fouled by Ryan Laight, giving the referee little option but to send the defender off

To fair to Matlock, they got through to half time with no more damage, and regrouped effectively in the second half. Liam King should have equalised early into the second period, but his header from a Webster cross was seen over the bar by Woodhall

New boy Charlton was getting more and more involved in the game as it wore on, making a number of runs forward in more of a 'wing-back' role. His flighted cross on fifty eight minutes found Platt coming in at the back post, but his header back across goal missed everyone and rolled out of play

Charlton had a big role in the Pitmen's second goal, scored just after the hour mark. His incisive ball into Ross Dyer set up the youngster to square the ball to Barnett, who fired past Richmond to put some distance between the sides

Matlock refused to lie down, to their credit, and continued to press. Woodhall convinced any doubters out there that he was the ideal fill-in keeper with a brilliant save to deny Barraclough from close range on seventy five minutes, turning the ball over the bar

He was helpless to watch three minutes later as Matlock went even closer to reducing arrears - Dene Cropper somehow headed wide of goal after a great cross from King found him unmarked at the back post

The impressive Durrell had shown Hednesford supporters that he could hit a mean shot earlier in the game, and hit another great effort that counted with nine minutes remaining. Barnett and Mark Briggs combined to set up the teenager, who hit a firm shot from the edge of the area that Richmond could get nowhere near

Durrell was involved again late on, as the Pitmen continued to stream forward in search of goals. His free kick out near the left hand touchline found Barnett at the far post, allowing the striker to head home for his hat-trick

A thoroughly entertaining game, and a great result for the Pitmen, who will go into Saturday's game here against Ashton full of confidence. The only question is: will the fans be there? Only 373 turned up for this one, which is way, way below the 600 average the club is hoping to attract to launch a successful promotion bid cds

Ashton United (H) 

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Briscoe

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Durrell

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Charlton

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