The Silkmen drew their latest pre-season encounter with Hednesford Town this evening. The final score was 2-2 with the home side coming from behind to equalise in the second half. Both Silkmen goals came from Kristian Dennis, the young centre forward following up his hat-trick in the defeat at New Mills last week.

Speaking briefly after the game Keith Alexander was impressed with his young squad which included a number of triallists.

"It was a tough and physical encounter as I expected it would be. The lads were up for the challenge and I was pleased with the effort and commitment on display. Games like this are all part of the younger lads' education and it will stand them in good stead in the future. Kristian took both of his goals well and is full of confidence which is great to see."

TEAM

Towns, Lowe, Jennings, Charlesworth (Torpey 44),Flynn, Hadfield (Nedham 58), Millar, Rooney (Hurst 43),Harvey (Cereda 66), Dennis (Garvey 53), Blackman (Perry 74)

Sub not used: Moss(GK)


Attendance 257

REPORT FROM HEDNESFORD TOWN WEBSITE

The fans who decided to brave the elements to attend the pre season friendly against Macclesfield Town were rewarded with another entertaining game in which after taking the lead the Pitmen had to fight there way back to level the scores after defensive slips gave the Silkmen the lead.

With half an hour to kick off there was a doubt that the game would start as a bolt of lightning hit the centre circle. Luckily players from both sides had left the field of play because of the monsoon conditions. The storm soon passed over and the game actually kicked off on time.

Dean Edwards selected the same eleven that started the game against Stoke City and another League scalp looked to be on the cards when Tyronne Barnett latched onto a long ball just as the keeper was about to take hold of the ball. Barnett knocked it around Matthew Town to tap the ball into the net in the 24th minute.

The Silkmen were level five minutes later when Pitmen keeper Stuart Brock kicked a clearance straight to Neil Harvey. The former Retford Town player laid the ball to his left to Kristian Dennis who had plenty of time to pick his spot and from 15 yards placed the ball into the left hand side of the net.

After gifting the visitors an equaliser the goal which they scored in the 41st minute rocked the Pitmen fans. Dennis took a free kick from 25 yards and despite a lack of pace on the ball it still managed to pass the Pitmens defensive wall and trickle inside the left hand post despite Brock only standing a couple of feet from the upright.

As usual in friendly fixtures there were a number of changes at half time and during the second half but the Pitmen finally scored a deserved equaliser in the 61st minute. The team's perseverance paid off when three headers bounced off the crossbar only for the ball to be cleared to Ross Draper who blasted the ball home through a crowded six yard box to score his second pre season goal.