It was first versus second on Sunday as the Bucks travelled to Keys Park to face unbeaten league leaders and champions elect Hednesford Town. We go back to the first game of the season for when the two sides last met and it was a classic. The Bucks surrendered a 4-1 lead as Hednesford fought back to claim a point. 

It was a tense opening to the game with neither side forced the opposition keepers into a save of note. The first key chance of the half fell to Liv Bellamy who was played in 1v1 by Shannon McShane. Unfortunately Liv couldn’t get enough on the ball to lift it over the Hednesford keeper from 18 yards. Just past the half hour mark, the home should have been ahead. Great work down the right hand side from the pacy winger found the unmarked striker 6 yards out. As she looked to pull the trigger up popped skipper Holly Nicholson with a fine last ditch tackle.

In first half stoppage time we witnessed the save of the match, arguably save of the season from Beth Owens. From a throw on the right hand side the ball found its way to the Hednesford centre midfielder. With time to pick her spot she let fly from 30 yards with the ball destined for the top corner. As she reeled away to start celebrating Owens had other ideas with a superb one handed save to tip the ball around the post.

HALF TIME: Hednesford Town 0 AFC Telford 0

The second half started much the same as the first, a cagey affair with neither side looking like opening the scoring. Just before the hour mark it was the home side who opened the scoring from the spot. A direct run from the Town striker ended being brought down by Rom Evans. The ref pointed to the spot from another postcode some 45 yards behind play. Owens from the spot dived the right way and made the save but the taker was quickest to react and poke the ball home.

With just over 15 minutes to play, the home side arguably put the game to bed and it was the Bucks causing their own issues. Evans gave the ball away but did well to get back and delay the 1v1. With a supporting teammate her shot forced Owens into a great save but again the Bucks failed to react to the loose ball allowing the striker to tap home.

Just shy of 10 minutes left and the scoring was complete as the Town winger claimed a goal from a sliced cross. Somewhat fortunate and harsh on the Bucks who were left to rue key errors and a lack of composure at the other end.

FULL TIME: Hednesford Town 3 AFC Telford 0