Whitby Town 2 Hednesford Town 2 - Report

After an even start to the game the Pitmen almost edged ahead in comical circumstances as Andrew May headed the ball back past Shane Bland in the Whitby goal with it narrowly going wide of the upright.

Four minutes later a freekick into the Whitby box was headed down by Reece King and Graham scooped his effort over the bar.

James Wren had little to do in the Pitmen goal in the owning exchanges, other than claim a couple of through balls.

However it would be the hosts that would open the scoring in the 29th minute. A ball in from the right picked out John Campbell who had a free header which he planted into the net.

Six minutes later Hednesford felt that they should have had a penalty when Danny Glover was fouled in the box but instead a free kick was given right on the edge - much to the frustration of those in Pitmen colours.

Hednesford were awarded a penalty though in the 41st minute as Glover was taken out. The striker stepped up but saw his spot kick saved by goalkeeper Shane Bland.

The Pitmen would drag themselves level two minutes into the second half though.

A freekick from Darren Campion was whipped into the box and Graham was on hand to the slot the ball home on the stretch.

They would be level for just six minutes as the ball wasn’t cleared properly and Campbell chipped it over Hednesford goalkeeper Wren and into the net from 20 yards.

Hednesford went close to an equaliser in the 56th minute when Joe Fitzpatrick curled an effort inches wide of the upright from the edge of the box.

The Pitmen would come back again though in the 67th minute. A freekick from Fitzpatrick found Graham 15 yards out and the striker smashed home past Bland to draw his side level.

Hednesford now sensed a winner and were denied with 20 minutes to go as Graham cut inside but saw his effort blocked away.

Four minutes from time Hednesford defender Jim Mutton produced a wonderful last ditch clearance to deny the home side what would almost certainly have been the winner.

In the end though it was a point apiece as Hednesford drew for the first time on the road this season.

Teams

Whitby Town: Bland, Martin, McWilliams, Bythway, McGoldrick, May, Snaith, Weledji, Campbell (Hulme 75), Carson, Gell

Subs not used: Fryatt, Dixon, Monkhouse, Tymon

Hednesford Town: Wren, Weir, Campion, Bailey, Mutton, King, Collins (Melbourne 73), Thorley, Glover (Butlin 68), Graham, Fitzpatrick

Subs not used: Oji, Steele

Attendance: 274