Having watched Guiseley in midweek, Hednesford manager Rob Smith’s gameplan worked to perfection on Saturday as the Pitmen left Nethermoor with the three points that propel them up to fourth as they were the only team in the top six to win.
The visitors produced a disciplined performance, getting back in numbers to stifle the home side’s creativity down the flanks to such an extent that for much of the first half the Lions resorted to long balls forward to Liam Dickinson that Town’s centre-back pairing Bailey and Paul McCone dealt with easily.
With Hednesford’s Tom Thorley running the show from midfield, the home side were soon clearing their lines as Ryan Toulson headed away Steve Diggin’s effort.
Steven Drench then turned Marvin Robinson’s effort round the post as the Lions struggled to get a foothold in the game, and it was no surprise when Town took the lead on 27 minutes.
Glenn Walker floated in a free kick from just inside the Guiseley half where the unfortunate Dickinson, in attempting to clear, headed the ball into his own net.
Dickinson put Guiseley’s first effort of note over the bar shortly afterwards and Wayne Brooksby flashed a shot just wide on the restart as Guiseley at last found some momentum.
Adam Boyes and Gavin Rothery played a slick one-two with the former’s effort just a whisker away, and then when Boyes created a chance for Danny Boshell a timely intervention from Walker put paid to their hopes.
Hednesford sealed the victory on 71 minutes. From twenty yards out, Stoke City loanee Adam Thomas fired a rasping shot into the far corner, a slight deflection giving Drench no chance.
The home side rallied briefly; Dan Crane took the ball of Ellis’s head and when Boyes’s effort was cleared to Wayne Brooksby the Town keeper turned the midfielder’s effort round the post.
It left Lions manager Mark Bower disappointed with his team’s first half performance. “I felt that we looked leggy after Tuesday’s exertions against Fylde and we just weren’t sharp enough and second best to everything and that allowed them to strangle the game.
“We asked the players to keep the ball better in the second half and they did that but without creating any real chances and then the second goal killed the game.”
Post match reaction: Mark Bower and Ryan Toulson
Entertainment value: ***
Star man: Tom Thorley (Hednesford)
Teams: Guiseley – Drench 8, Toulson 6, Lowe 7, Hall 8, Ellis 7, Lawlor 6, Brooksby 6, Boshell (D) 6, Boyes 7, Dickinson (L) 7 (Johnson (A) 81, 5), Rothery 6 (Boshell (N) 71, 7), Subs not used: Holdsworth, Hendrie, Dickinson (S)
Hednesford –Crane 8, Hurst 7, Walker 8, Bailey8, McCone 8, Thorley 9, Thomas 7, Kerry 7, Robinson 8, (Rushton 90, 6), Diggin 7 (Melbourne 81, 7), Todd 8, Sub not used: Westwood
Goals: Dickinson (L) (OG) 27, Thomas 71
HT 0-1
Att: 550
Referee: A Miller
