HEDNESFORD have set up a play-off final with Congleton Town at Keys Park this Saturday – but there was penalty shoot-out heartache for Chasetown.
The Pitmen won their Northern Premier League play-off semi-final with a 3-1 win against Vauxhall Motors.
A crowd of 2,200 saw Gav Hurren’s side clinch a place in the final – and the chance to seal promotion after falling just three points short of champions Widnes.
A ninth minute goal from Ahkeem Rose, set Hednesford on their way – and Dom McHale made it two, eight minutes before the break.
Vauxhall Motors pulled one back in first half stoppage time through Adam Rooney.
But Dan Trickett-Smith sealed the Pitmen’s place in the final with a goal two minutes from time.
Our season comes to an end with a heartbreaking loss on penalties to Congleton.
Good luck to both @Hednesford_Town and @CongletonFC as they battle it out at Keys Park on Saturday to be the final team promoted from our league⚽️
— Chasetown FC (@ChasetownFC1954) April 29, 2025
They will face Congleton who beat Chasetown in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.
The tie in Cheshire looked to be heading for a goal-less draw until a flurry of goals took the game to extra-time and penalties.
Jack Langston looked to have won it for the Scholars when he scored with four minutes left.
But Dan Needham levelled for Congleton in the 90th minute.
That took the game to extra-time and Max McCarthy put the home side into the lead after 103 minutes.
But Chasetown refused to lie down and Luke Yates made it 2-2 seven minutes later.
The sides could only be separated by penalties with Congleton going through 4-3 – with Scholars skipper Danny O’Callaghan missing the deciding spot-kick.
