HTFC PROGRAMME 2113-14 DESIGN 11th Jan 2014 | Page 15

AFC TELFORD UNITED (A - THE SKRILL NORTH)
itmen come unstuck in New
Year’s Day deluge

defence were cut open and Farrell was able to
capitalise and slot home under Dan Crane for his
second of the game.

For the second season in succession
Hednesford Town scored three goals on
the opening day of a New Year only to end with no
points to show for their efforts. After suffering defeat
against Rushall Olympic in 2013 it would be AFC
Telford United who would prove to be the victors at the
start of 2014 in a game that edged one way then
another, writes Scott Smith.

Town almost dragged themselves level just a minute
later though when Blissett flicked on for Durrell who
was caught between crossing or shooting and chose
the latter only to see his effort go harmlessly wide. This
would prove to be pivotal as in a crazy first ten minutes
of the second half Telford were able to edge further
ahead, as another cross caused confusion in the Town
box, and Mike Phenix lashed home at the back post.

In a ding dong top of the table Skrill North clash it was
actually the visitors who started the better with
Hednesford opening the scoring in just the seventh
minute. Following some good interplay between Dave
Macpherson and Nathan Blissett, the big frontman was
able to calmly slot home for his second goal in as many
games.

The visitors weren’t quite done in the game yet though
and with 13 minutes remaining they gave themselves a
glimmer of hope as substitute Neil Harvey saw his
header deflected into the net via a Telford defender.
However any hope was soon extinguished as Farrell
ensured he would take the match ball home with a
clinical finish from the edge of the box past the
helpless Crane.

P

The lead would only last four minutes though as once
again Town’s defensive frailties were shown up when
Matty McGinn’s corner was headed home at the near
post by Adam Farrell into
the far corner of the net.

SF

On a tricky playing
surface following some
awful weather in the
previous 24 hours it
would be The Pitmen
who would strike next.
Elliott Durrell’s superb
free kick was powerfully
headed
home
by
Francino Francis to give
his side the lead once
again.
Back came the home
side though and with a
little help from some
generous officiating they
forced a number of free
kicks and corners to test
the Hednesford defence.
From one of these the
home
side
almost
grabbed an equaliser
only for Durrell to clear
the ball off the line after
an almighty scramble in
the Town box.
Telford would find their
leveller just five minutes
into the second period
though as a long throw
into the Hednesford box
Nathan Blissett pushes forward with the ball
wasn’t dealt with and
Charlie Barnett was on hand to tap home. Three
minutes later the home side were in front as the Town

thePitmen

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