> 19.8.2003

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The Pitmen's first home game of the season turned out to be an enthralling local derby against newly-promoted Halesowen - with Hednesford redressing the balance after conceding a late goal on Saturday, this time they scored one

Ian Painter kept faith in the same starting XI as at Crawley, and saw an entertaining first half culminate in an effort that struck the post from former Pitman Richard Leadbeater for the Yeltz on the half hour

Earlier in the first half forward Mark Jones, busy and industrious, had two good chances to open the scoring, but saw Yeltz 'keeper Tim Clarke in commanding form, denying the former Wolves player with two smart saves down low

 Both sides showed plenty of industry, with a large Keys park crowd cheering them on, but it looked as though the teams would be heading in for the break scoreless. That was until the final minute of the half, when the Pitmen were awarded a penalty after Shaun Wray was brought down by Halesowen's Richard Colwell

 Skipper Richard Lucas fired confidently home to give the Pitmen a half time lead by sending Clarke the wrong way from the spot

 Once again, however, the home side let their concentration slip after the break, as they had done at Crawley on Saturday, and allowed the opposition to equalise. Rob Elmes, who could have levelled a minute into the restart, scored on fifty five minutes after a swift counter-attack caught Hednesford cold at the back, allowing the Yeltz man to fire home unchallenged

 Hednesford stole back the initiative on sixty eight minutes when a cross from Wray was powerfully headed home by the in-form Jones at the near post, to give the home supporters hope of a home win so early in the season

This looked to be shot down in flames on seventy three minutes when the excellent Yeltz left back Les Hines scored a second equaliser for Halesowen, scoring after Elmes' shot hit the post. Roared on by the crowd

Hednesford set about scoring a third goal to win the match. It looked unlikely, with both sides huffing and puffing, but not creating any real goalmouth chances. That was until fan's favourite Chris Brindley marched forward in the final minute; a Richard Lucas free kick found 'Brinna', who beat Clarke to the ball and headed home to give the Pitmen a winning start to their home campaign in the Dr. Martens Premier  cds

Cambridge City (H) 

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