> 8.3.2003

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The Pitmen finally got back to winning ways this afternoon with a hard-fought single goal victory against Newport County. There were two major changes to the team that drew with Chelmsford, with new boys Allen Tankard and Emeka Nwadike starting the game in defence and midfield respectively

 The first half was played out with almost no incident - not much to inspire the crowd as neither side really pressed. Steve Piearce felt he had done enough to earn a penalty after fifteen minutes, but his appeals were waved away by an over-fussy Mr. Whitehurst, the referee

 On twenty four minutes, Mark Jones also saw his appeal for a spot kick turned down, after a hefty challenge from Jason Perry - again, the referee was unimpressed

 It was Jones, recently back in favour in the starting XI,  who was to have the best chance of a poor half on thirty three minutes, somehow heading straight at keeper Pat Mountain with the whole goal to aim for after some good play and a cross from David Berks

 The impressive Berks saw Mountain equal to a twenty five yard free kick soon after, as the Pitmen started to build up a head of stem

 At the back, keeper Michael Bingham made a good save from the scorer of the winner at Spytty Park, Garry Shepherd, as the half closed

 Newport came at the Pitmen from the start of the second period, and only inspired goalkeeping from Bingham kept Hednesford level. Firstly, he dealt with another Shepherd effort, then made a brilliant save to deny Matt Rose from close range, all within a minute

 The home side rallied, and on fifty five minutes got their reward. Jones was put clear by a clever pass, but was forced wide - he managed to divert the ball back into the danger zone where the onrushing Berks hammered the ball into the roof of the net

Bingham denied Shepherd for a third time soon after as the visitors put the Pitmen under tremendous pressure. Mountain's long kick almost caught the Hednesford defence out, but with Shepherd sniffing, the ball was hoofed clear in the nick of time by Stuart Ryder

Berks did, however, have a chance to get a second on seventy seven minutes, but put his shot over the bar with a dipping shot

 A final flourish from County was not enough, seeing the Pitmen record their first league win in five attempts - and without conceding a late goal!   cds

Folkestone Invicta (A) 

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Maguire

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Charie

Francis

1

Jones

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Tankard

.15

Wray

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