Dunkley Farewell Double As Pitmen Keep Dream Alive

Cheyenne Dunkley marked what could be his last game for Hednesford Town with a first half brace as The Pitmen outbattled Leamington on a freezing night in Warwickshire.

The powerful central defender, due to return to Crewe Alexandra this week, tapped in from a yard out after a Liam Francis half-volley was parried by Carl Pentley four minutes into the game.

An outrageous acrobatic volley by Tyrone Barnett was ruled out for offside before a wicked, wind-assisted free kick by Elliott Durrell found Dunkley to double Hednesford's lead after fifteen minutes.

A scrappy ending to the first half saw neither side cope particuarly well with the conditions but it was Leamington who dominated the second period.

Matt Lewis volleyed over after sustained pressure for the home side signalled their intent to take the game to Hednesford.

Leamington's head of steam was slowed down somewhat by a nasty looking injury to their goalkeeper Pentney as ex-Hednesford striker Matt Lewis stepped in between the posts.

The Pitmen failed to test the makeshift keeper as Leamington continued to pile pressure onto the Hednesford goal.

Kicking towards a vociferous home crowd finally tolled as Scott Lycett swept in a volley from a James Hubbard corner with ten minutes remaining.

Pitmen supporters nerves frayed before a superb stoppage-time breakaway started by Durrell saw him slip a superb ball in for Ross Dyer to secure another delightful three points.

The gap to the final play-off place has closed to seven points and with a major fixture pile up for all sides in the division looming large, Bernie McNally's men have signalled their intent with three important victories and lurk on the periphery ready to pounce.

Leamington

Pentney (Corbett 54), Faulds, Tuohy, Lycett (80), Sanders, Knight, Jackson, Herlihy, Lewis, McPike, Batchelor (Murphy 58),

Subs Not Used

Husband, Harris, Beale,

Hednesford Town

Brock, Platt, Martin, Bailey, Francis, Gomes, Durrell, Craddock, Barnett, Dyer (90+1), Dunkley (5, 15),

Subs Not Used

Proffitt, Chapman, Osborne, Morton, Flynn,

Bookings

Platt, Barnett, Jackson, Herlihy,

Star Man - Cheyenne Dunkley

Attendance - 551

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