Pre-season Friendly
The Moat Ground
Tuesday, 7th August 2007, 7.30pm
Town hang on for a win
Hednesford Town didn't have the best of starts when their youth team keeper Matt Rogers failed to turn up at the Moat Ground. A young defender Michael Clark was drafted in to replace him and he was soon being tested by Rovers.
On 8 minutes Chris Sleath sliced through the visiting defence, beat the keeper with his shot only for the ball to crash back off the far post and into the stand-in's arms.
With possibly Town's first attempt on goal three minutes later they took the lead. Former Moatman Liam Hebberd was fouled on the halfway line and the kick picked out Tim Sanders who laid on the ball for Peter Knox, on the edge of the area, to fire a low shot past Rovers' keeper David Clarke and into the far corner of the net.
On 13 minutes the home side should have been on terms. A good move down the right allowed Sleath to send a superb cross-field pass over to Luke Keane. Unfortunately, the young triallist missed his shot when well placed and the ball was cleared.
Three minutes later the young stand-in keeper did well to tip Andy Simpson's looping header away for a corner.
Luke Edwards, on trial from Tamworth, making his first appearance then showed a terrific turn of speed to get the better of the Town defence and it took a perfectly timed last ditch tackle to deny him a chance on goal.
The ball swung up to the other end and on 23 minutes and found the dangerous Blair in space. Seeing the Rovers' keeper off his line tried an audacious chip from long-range but David Clarke just managed to get his fingers to the ball and then collect it in his arms.
There was an instance that threatened to spoil what was an entertaining game when Hebbered reacted to a tackle from Liam Shirley and appeared to kick out at the youngster followed by an attempted headbutt but referee Dragon Kuzmanovic showed great leniency allowing the Town player to carry on in the game rather than being sent off the field which he deserved.
Town doubled their lead on 34 minutes when Knox did well to control the ball from Rovers defender Danny Douglas's half clearance before laying it back to Blair who hit a superb volley from 25 yards into the top corner that gave David Clarke no chance.
Rovers pulled a goal back on 40 minutes from a corner kick. Shaun Ridgway's corner from the left was headed down by Jamie Hood and Keane, on trial from Tamworth, was on hand to slot the ball home from close in.
There were several changes at half time from both sides and Rovers started the second half brightly and on 51 minutes substitute Karl Payne made a good run through the middle only to fire straight at the keeper.
A minute later however Town increased their lead when Jay Birch's right wing cross, found Knox who was in acres of space and his powerful header left David Clarke helpless.
On 57 minutes Rovers closed the gap when Karl Payne fired in a shot from 18 yards that was unfortunately fumbled by Clark and allowed to drop into the net.
Town went close again on 75 minutes when Blair was allowed to turn and shoot but his shot flew over the bar.
On 81 minutes Town's manager Phil Starbuck made a surprise appearance on the field to take over between the posts much to the amusement of the visiting Pitmen's supporters.
Rovers substitute Ravi Sangha went very close to levelling the scores just moments later but his shot was deflected the wrong side of the post.
Town had one last attempt on goal but Jordan Francis put his header wide from Edward Ansah's corner.
Manager's View
"It was a strange game really because it didn't get up to the tempo that threatened early in the first half. For the first five or ten minutes there was some good crisp passing from both sides.
"I'm sure both side would have found that useful. They had some quality players throughout with a good sprinkling of some good young players. They are very fit with very good technique and were very well organised - a well-drilled side Phil (Starbuck) has got there.
"From our point of view it was much needed pitch time. Some players could have done with a little bit more obviously with the volume of players we are trying to get round at the minute we've got to try and get as many players as much pitch time as possible within the constraints we've got.
"It was a useful exercise. Mick (Curry) and I have pretty much got an idea where we are at now. We've just got to finalise things with those few players we want to talk to in terms of who will definitely start the season in the first team and those who we are interested in taking on and seeing what develops.
"That was the last game before we make our decisions. It's got to be really in view of that fact that we've only got the Eastwood game on Saturday. We'll train on Thursday and do some more work and try and settle things down a little bit towards our thinking for the 18th. We may try and squeeze something extra in next week, we'll just have to see how we're fixed because we have a pretty busy diary as it is with things we've got planned.
"It will then be trying to pin things down before August 18th. There will be some disappointed guys but we asked the players who were willing to roll their sleeves up and fight their way into the first team.
"Some will start the season in the reserves and some will be sent out on loan and we will see what happens. There is some real good young talent there and there is also a mix of experience as well, players who are doing well and some who we expect more from.
"I would imagine quite quickly after the first league game things will settle down a little bit as players move on but we want to keep all our options open in all positions and we'll take it from there.
"Luke Edwards made his debut and showed some nice flashes. It's been frustrating because that's the first time we've managed to get Luke out. Obviously he's new to many of his team mates - it was the same with many of the players out there tonight. It's been frustrating because we've not been able to get these players earlier in pre-season with the games being off but we've just got to build on things.
The two wide lads who started the game - Chris Sleath who has done fantastic because that was only his second start in two months. He's had no pre-season whatsoever and I'm very excited what that kid could do when he gets a bit fitter. Luke Edwards showed what pace he's got and his attacking instincts. There were little bits of miss-communication at times and we've got to make sure we develop that and don't give the ball away cheaply.
"There were some good signs from the younger lads as well and even those who came on did very well.
"There are some developments with the Jamie Hood situation and we are going to sit down and find out what the absolute latest situation is.
"Luke Farmer did well when he came on as did Andy Simpson and Martyn Rowntree. We are looking to have four centre halves for the two or three slots depending on what situation we are in and what formation we play.
"Morgan Hurley and David Clarke have both signed forms tonight but David will start for Tamworth on Saturday because that's the agreement I have with Gary Mills and he will probably play their league game on Tuesday as well.
"Tom Allan wasn't involved tonight because his back is feeling a little bit sore after Saturday's game and we didn't want to take any unnecessary risks because we need him right for Saturday. If he's not right we will draft somebody in to cover us but we will not force him to play if he is in danger of aggravating the injury.
"It was good to see Carl (Slater) back because he's had a bit of a stop start season with his latest problem being a toe injury which meant he's not been involved in the last couple of games but he declared himself fit this afternoon and gave it a go and hopefully he hasn't picked anything else up. There will be no player working harder than Carl to get himself right for the start of the season. There is just under two weeks left now and he'll be busting a gut to make sure he's in our immediate thoughts for a starting place."
