An unfortunate own goal was the difference between Chasetown FC and Hednesford Town in a decent pre-season friendly of good approach play but lacking the clinical edge in front of goal.
Chasetown keeper Ryan Price was the busier of the two stoppers during his 45 minutes on the field, but in truth what he had to do was restricted to relatively straightforward saves in front of his body, up until the final minute of the first half when he reacted well to keep out an overhead kick.
Scholars skipper Richard Teesdale had a goalbound header cleared off the line early on, and Gary Hay had a right foot shot blocked, but that apart, the better attempts were down the other end.
Elliott Durrell flicked a header from a corner wide of the post and curled a free kick wide, while Jamey Osborne and Nathan Woolfe both tested the Chasetown back line – one, with a shot that was blocked by the defender, the other a shot grasped by Price.
The best skill in the first half was reserved for Durrell who brilliantly out-foxed Louis Keenan with a clever flick, but Price was quick to rush out from his goal to avert any danger.
Hednesford’s winner came on 74 minutes when the Pitmen finally drew Chasetown’s back line out from their defensive positions and Jamie Osborne saw his effort brilliantly saved by substitute goalkeeper Danny Watson, only to strike the foot of Keenan and end up in the back of the net.
Chasetown’s best attempt after the break came after a lovely run from Roland Agbor who turned one defender and dropped the shoulder to beat another before teeing up a first time effort from Leigh Downing which flashed wide of Liam Mitchell’s upright.
In all, Scholars boss Craig Harris would be pleased that just one goal separated the two teams who go into the new season two leagues apart.
Hednesford Town: Mitchell, Melbourne, Campion (Disney, HT), Bailey, Francis, Taylor, Osborne (Thompson-Brown, 75 mins), Durrell, Rogan (Lennon, 84 mins), Rey (Harvey, 66 mins), Woolfe. Subs not used: Barnes, Anagho-Ntamark.
Chasetown: Price (Watson, HT), Forde, Keenan, Slater, Beckett, Teesdale, Westwood (Butler, 75 mins), Bragoli, Wellecomme (Agbor, 71 mins), Hay (Smith, 66 mins), Theo Robinson (Downing, 75 mins). Subs not used: Tesfa Robinson, Meer, Sullivan.
