The continuing inclement weather, and the fact that our senior team were due to play a rearranged FA Trophy tie on Tuesday night at Keys Park, meant that this home youth team fixture was hastily switched to Highgate United FC in order to get the match played.

The Highgate pitch had drained well but the near freezing temperatures put the game in the balance as the pitch was white over and firm underfoot.

In the end the Match Referee, Mr Craig Taylor, decided that the game should go ahead and Paul Casey's depleted squad took to the field. It was a much changed team for the young Pitmen, with Richard Dunleavy and Jamey Osborne suspended, Dean Rathbone and Ryan Lester unavailable due to injury and illness. Into the team came BCFA county goalkeeper, Dale Faultless, and Under 16 debutants Kyle Murrain, Matthew Morton, David Hill and Cavan Cresser.

The first twenty five minutes were very even with chances being created at both ends but not particularly testing the goalkeepers. Hednesford's highly rated captain, Ben Harbutt, made one perfectly timed tackle in the penalty area which would certainly have resulted in a penalty if executed any differently.

In the 28th minute a Hednesford attack saw OLIVER CASEY collect the ball in the box to go around the goalkeeper and steer the ball into the unguarded net.

In the second half it was the young Pitmen that started brighter and Mark Bandurak came close with a 25 yard effort that was saved by the Highgate stopper In the 53rd minute new goalkeeper, Dale Faultless, was called upon to show his mettle and responded with an excellent point blank save to preserve the slender lead. In the 60th minute substitute, ADAM MEACHAM, entered the game and within 1 minute and virtually with his first touch, he fired the ball in to make it 2-0.

 

With the conditions beginning to worsen and freezing fog hampering visibility, Highgate were far from finished and in the 66th minute they were able to reduce the defecit to 2-1. Hednesford responded well and a good run from Jordan Nadat into the Highgate penalty box saw him brought down for a penalty kick. The normally assured Tom Howard set himself for the kick but hit the shot high over the bar instead of securing the 3 points.This piece of fortune for Highgate spurred them into a frantic fight back and they were rewarded in the last minute with an equalising goal and a share of the points.

The decision to play this game in these conditions definitely favoured Highgate and cost vital League points. Paul Casey will need to strengthen his squad for the challenging schedule of matches that will be coming up in the New Year as the youths chase three cups and look to improve on their current false position in the MFYL Premier Division.

Team:

Faultless, Murrain, Farrall, Harbutt (capt), Morton, Bandurak, Howard, Hill, Law, Casey, Nadat, subs. Imerfreys, Meacham, Ward, Cresser.