Hednesford crowned cup winners

Hednesford were crowned Red Insure Cup champions with a convincing 3-0 win against Hemel Hempstead Town at Keys Park.

Chris Clements was the best player on the pitch and weighed in with the first two goals.

The ex-Crewe midfielder opened the scoring on 38 minutes with a brilliant finish from 20 yards after a one-two with the impressive Kyle Patterson.

And Clements secured the cup with eight minutes to go, calmly lobbing the Hemel Hempstead goalkeeper before substitute Marvin Robinson started the joyous celebrations with a close-range header in stoppage time.

The Pitmen were deserved winners over the two legs as Hemel Hempstead attempted their attractive passing game but failed to really trouble a sturdy Hednesford defence led by the inspirational Cheyenne Dunkley.

The only occasion attacker Marvin Williams troubled Hednesford's backline came when the pacy striker stole a yard on Dunkley, only for him to snuff out the danger with a superb saving tackle on the half-hour.

Patterson had threatened early on as Mike McEntegart scuffed his clearance and Nick Wellecomme saw his long-range shot blocked, before the in-form striker curled the follow-up over.

The second goal gave manager Rob Smith the opportunity to rest Patterson and Clements for the huge final three league games and the inspirational duo received a deserved standing ovation from the bumper crowd.

Robinson's late header sparked mass celebration on the terraces and, as the Pitmen lifted the cup, nerves over a tense final run-in in the league were forgotten for one night.