Hednesford Town 1 Stourbridge 4 - Report and pictures
The waiting was over as Hednesford Town kicked off the new era under the ownership of Graham Jones and Ade Dando against Stourbridge FC in front of a sell out crowd at the PRG Stadium, Keys Park.
A committed start from both sides saw a dubious decision from the referee giving an early red card to Callam Mendez-Jones reducing the hosts to ten men, when the defender appeared to win the ball. Greg Mills found the ball at his feet to fire home for the Glassboys in the 21st minute.
The Pitmen fired up by the apparent injustice of the situation, dominated the game following the goal. Danny Glover latched onto a long ball out of defence and bustled his way through two defenders, round the keeper to walk the ball into the net for a well deserved equaliser.
It was all Pitmen from then on until in added time before the break Greg Mills grabbed his second, finding the top corner of the net with a lethal strike from a freekick.
The Pitmen continued to look good for an equaliser with substitute Lee Smith smashing the ball against the bar from Jed Davies` freekick. However it was Glassboys' substitute Andre Landell who had the most impact in the second half scoring a rapid brace for the visitors. Slotting home a squared pass with his first touch before adding a second four minutes later with a neat finish from twelve yards.
A gutsy encounter from both sides that was marred by a controversial early sending-off, saw the visitors harshly claim all three points.
Teams
Hednesford Town; Wycherley, Griffiths, Lycett, Bailey, Mendez-Jones, Thompson, Cater (Preston 7, Smith 46, Dodds 75), Hallahan, Glover, Davies, Turner. Subs not used; Norcross, Dawes.
Stourbridge FC; Price, Green, O'Hanlon (Bustin 69), Birch, Morris, Brown, Knights, Deeney, Peniket, Brown (Landell 71), Mills (Dwyer 79). Subs not used; Nicholls, Riley
Attendance 600
