HEDNESFORD returned to winning ways with a 1-0 win at Wythenshawe Town – as Chris Hussey made up for his penalty miss a week earlier in style.
Hussey’s spectacular free-kick after 56 minutes proved to be enough to secure the victory.
The former Wimbledon, Coventry City, Cheltenham, Burton Albion and Port Vale defender swung home a superb goal, just seven days after missing from the spot against Trafford.
It means the Pitmen are still five points behind Northern Premier League West leaders Widnes – but have a 10-point cushion in the play-off spots.
Pitmen boss Gav Hurren said Hussey’s goal was typical of the player.
He told the club’s official YouTube channel: “Chris just shows what we’ve got at this football club, in the sense of he’s an ultra professional.
“He doesn’t play at the levels and win the things he’s done, if he’s not that.
“Yes, everyone gets disappointed for missing penalties or giving a ball away or whatever, but it just shows the mentality he’s got.
“Straight away, he was on the set pieces. And I know deep down in and around that area Chris is all over it. That free kick was brilliant. And then he deserves to win the game.
“As soon as he’s come into the building, he’s driven the standards. He’s taken us to another level in training and, on match day, the fans now actually see the type of player we’ve brought to this club.
“He’s not just a good footballer, he’s really good guy as well. And I’m really happy for him.”
Chasetown boosted their hopes of joining neighbours Hednesford in the play-offs thanks to a Jack Langston double.
The Scholars raced into an early two goal lead at home to Wythenshawe – and never looked back.
Langston opened the scoring after only 12 minutes – and Joey Butlin added a second five minutes later.
Mark Swann’s side wrapped up the points after 54 minutes as Langston netted a second goal.
It means Chasetown currently occupy the last play-off position – and have a five point cushion over Stalybridge Celtic.
Assistant manager Jamie Hawkins told the Scholars’ official YouTube channel: “It’s good, isn’t it? You know, at this stage of the season, it’s just about the result.
“We knew that Wythenshawe would come here fighting, they’re down there unfortunately, and in a really precarious position, but we knew that there’d be a difficult test.
“I thought it was important to start the game well – and, credit to the lads – we did that. A couple of early goals, which set us up for a comfortable afternoon in the end.”
Stafford Rangers pulled off an astonishing 8-0 win against 10-man City of Liverpool – as their revival continued.
John Atherton and Dan Cockerline put Stafford 2-0 up at the break.
But the floodgates opened after the break with Ben O’Hanlon, Kaiman Anderson, Cockerline – with his second – Scott Wara, Joe Morley and Henry Brereton completing the rout.
The last three goals came between the final minute of the game and the fifth minute of stoppage time as the hosts were relegated.
