Hurren bemoans ‘poor’ referee as 10-men Hednesford lose to Trafford in thriller
Gavin Hurren bemoaned missed chances and a “poor” referee as 10-men Hednesford Town missed a late penalty and failed to beat Trafford.
Simeon Maye was sent off for the hosts shortly after the half-hour mark and Trafford, unlike the Pitmen, were able to convert from the penalty spot. The visitors were also reduced to 10-men in the second period and frustrations grew as chances went begging.
The loss brought an end to the Pitmen’s remarkable 14-game unbeaten run and saw them drop to third in the Northern One West standings. Hurren’s side remains seven points adrift of leaders Widnes who were also beaten.
The Hednesford boss said: “I am disappointed that the unbeaten run has come to an end because over that duration we have played some fantastic stuff, and today we deserved something out of the game.
“It’s harsh that we haven't come away with something but when you start the game in the way we did, and going down to 10 men, it was always a big ask.
“I thought we showed a reaction in the second-half and the opportunity we created was top draw, we have just got to put a couple of those chances away.
“The referee was poor. I thought the linesmen were very good, but the referee wasn’t up to standard.
“We have dropped a position in the league and we are down to third which is more frustrating. It’s not just about catching Widnes, it is about finishing as high as we can, so yes it is a triple kick in the teeth with Widnes losing, Vauxhall winning and us losing.
“I always say that if we are going to lose then you have to in the right way and I felt we did that. We were the better team and created but just couldn’t get it over the line.”
The game was in the balance until ten-minutes before half-time when Maye grappled hold of Rio Clegg in the box to concede a spot kick. And, to add further salt to the wound, the Pitmen midfielder was shown a red card before Clegg hammered home the penalty.
On came Jake Jervis for the Pitmen who was brought down in the box just seconds after the restart, but appeals were waved away and boss Hurren was furious.
Frustrations grew as Nathan Blissett headed wide, but Hednesford were thrown a lifeline when Trafford’s Sean Higgins was sent off with just under ten-minutes to go, and then Niall Watson was clipped inside the area, earning a spot kick for the hosts.
Centre-back Chris Hussey had impressed throughout, but his poor penalty was easily palmed away - summing up Hednesford’s afternoon - and Hurren’s side were unable to break Trafford’s resistance.
