Pitmen Splutter As Chippenham Cruise To Final

Hednesford Town fell at the playoff semi-final hurdle as they came up agonisingly short against a Chippenham side who deservedly won a make or break second half.

Forty-two league matches culminated in a win or bust semi final played in a nervous atmosphere at Hardenhuish Park as both sides battled for a final place versus Nuneaton or Brackley.

Hednesford were marginally the better side in the first half as Greg Tindle heroically blocked Elliott Durrell's shot and from the resulting corner Durrell was thwarted again by Chris Snoddy.

Pitmen goalkeeper Stuat Brock was limited to a comfortable save from a Lewis Powell shot on fourteen minutes before Liam Francis miraculously blocked Powell's close range chance on the stroke of half time.

Tyrone Barnett came within a whisker of opening the scoring for The Pitmen in outstanding fashion when he side-footed a delicious quickly taken Durrell free kick on thirty five minutes straight at Snoddy.

The Pitmen faithful travelled in numbers but witnessed a second half performance where Chippenham ruthlessly converted their opportunities against a Hednesford side which finally looked to run out of steam.

Powell cooly slotted into the roof of the net on sixty-four minutes after Ben Highmore muscled out Sean Platt and, despite desperate Pitmen pressure, substitute Sam Allison broke away with Brock stranded forward to finish the game in stoppage time.

Victorious Chippenham progress after four years agony into a final promotion decider against Nuneaton following their rout at hone to Brackley.

The Pitmen season ends in dissapointment but the Keys Park faithful will no doubt look forward to another exciting season under the management of Delwyn Hunphries and the inspirational Bernard McNally following a near fairytale post-Chistmas promotion push.

Chippenham Town

Snoddy, Adams (c), Tindle, Williams, Casey, Kite, Lye, Gullick, Powell (64), Highmore (Griffin 46), Davies (Allison (88) 46),

Subs Not Used

Martin, Harvey, Lamb

Hednesford Town

Brock, Proffitt, Gibson (Martin 75), Bailey, Francis, Platt (c), Durrell, Craddock (Wood 86), Barnett, Clements, McGurk,

Subs Not Used

Chapman, Osborne, Flynn,

Bookings

Platt, Durrell, Craddock,

Star Man - Lewis Powell

Attendance - 811

Words By Chris Brewerton