> 2.11.2002

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Despite awful conditions, Hednesford progressed to the next round of the F.A. Trophy with a professional performance to see off Dr. Martens Western Division side Clevedon Town this afternoon

An injury to Chris Brindley meant another defensive switch, with skipper Les Robinson returning in place of 'Brinner'. Up front, Ian Painter took the bold move of playing three strikers - Kevin Francis, Graham Lancashire and Steve Piearce - in an effort to win the tie without the need of a replay

Amidst horrendous weather, with cloud bursts a regular occurrence during the game, the Pitmen struggled initially to get their game together against a side seemingly happier to play in the poor conditions

Sure enough, the hosts managed to get their noses in front after twenty eight minutes when Adam Jenkins failed to meet a cross, allowing Olly Price to knock the ball home

 The Pitmen started to dominate possession, but were failing to turn any of it into goals, despite shots from Paul Ware, two from Steve Piearce and Carl Adams

Francis glanced a header wide as the Pitmen pressed, until a cross from the right by Carl Adams at the end of the half was met by Francis, who glanced home at the far post

 The rain continued to fall incessantly, with the Bristol Rovers and Weston-Super-Mare games down the road being called off. But the game continued, with Hednesford again storming out of the blacks after the break

 Steve Piearce broke clear, rounded the keeper and slotted home on fifty one minutes, followed by a scramble that saw the ball ricochet off Piearce and home just two minutes later

Hednesford started to stroke the ball about, and were made to pay for being too casual on fifty seven minutes when Darren Simkin gave the ball away, allowing Simon Dew an easy chance to reduce arrears from close range

The Pitmen went back on the offensive, and restored the two goal cushion courtesy of a smart move on seventy five minutes, with substitute Shaun Wray crossing for fellow replacement Stewart Airdrie to slot home from twelve yards

 So the Pitmen move on into the next round, and will have one eye on Conference opposition as the big boys of the pyramid enter the draw on Monday cds

Bath City (H) 

Wray

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Airdrie

Charie

Lancashire

1

Simpson

.15

Francis

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