Sutton Coldfield Town's poor form continued when they were clinically despatched, 3-0, by a clinical Hednesford Town side under new management. Just three days before the game, the Hednesford board dismissed ex-Sutton boss Neil Tooth after a sketchy start to the campaign had left them closer to the relegation zone than the playoffs.

While Sutton had big news of their own in the build-up to the game, with the announcement of a glamorous new signing: ex-Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest striker Marcus Tudgay joining the Royals.

The first ten minutes or so were cagey and neither side offered much in terms of penetration. The Pitmen broke the deadlock, however, when Danny Glover pierced open the Sutton defence with a slick pass that former Royal Luke Rodgers pounced on and finished past Springthorpe. Rodgers was a threat all half, playing on the last man with the intelligence expected of a former Shrewsbury Town legend.

The goal rocked Sutton and the home side sensed their vulnerability. Glover went close nine minutes later but shot into the side-netting from 12 yards.

A second goal came for The Pitmen as Glover stabbed in from a close range following the ball running loose.

Hednesford custodian James Wren has won Sutton's Player of the Season award for the last two years. He showed why towards the denouement of the half, thwarting a decent strike from Brian Smikle before producing a world-class one-hander to prevent a superbly executed volley from Gurjit Singh hitting the back of the net.

HT: Hednesford 2-0 Sutton

Recent second half showings from Sutton have generally been dire and this one was no exception. The Royals once again failing to conjure up significant openings.

Springthorpe kept it at 2-0, in the 55th minute, when just reaching Tom Thorley's free-kick to tip it round the post.

Hednesford finished the match in the ascendant, creating all the chances and enjoying better territory. A little more composure in the final third and it could have developed into a rout. As it was, the Staffordshire side completed their 3-0 win via Thorley tapping in Jordan Nadat's (another ex-Royal) pass.

FT: Hednesford 3-0 Sutton

Brannon's Sutton MOTM: Mason Springthorpe

I spoke this morning to the gaffer Richard Sneekes about Saturday: "It was another hard watch on Saturday. For twenty minutes we looked comfortable and got hit by their first attack, which knocked the wind out of our sails and struggled from there on. We haven't got much luck but we've got to make our own luck and turn things around, otherwise it's going to be a long, hard season.

I then asked about the arrival of Tudgay: "Marcus is a proven goalscorer, but can't do it on his own so we all need to do better to get the service to him."

Brannon's Reflections:

1. The signing of Tudgay was welcomed by all concerned. He's scored 101 goals playing for EFL clubs and is still only 34. He will hopefully provide us with goals but generally enhance our decision-making in the final third.

2. Nice to see James Wren acknowledge the Ultras at the end of the game. A good thing about Hednesford potentially getting promoted would be Wren getting the opportunity to prove himself at a level that I'd have no qualms about him dealing with.

3. Neil Tooth getting the sack probably didn't help us. There may be something in the theory of a new manager giving a club an instant bounce, particularly one in Rob Smith who enjoyed five generally strong years at Keys Park. We could have possibly exploited the edginess surrounding them before the managerial change. A popular appointment in fans' favourite Smith gave them a massive lift.

Two more away games coming up: a derby at Rushall tonight (7:45ko) and the long trip to the majestic scenery of Whitby (3pm ko). Coalville is the next home game on Tuesday, September 19th.