> 25.1.2003

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 Hednesford bounced back to winning ways at Keys Park this afternoon, hammering ex-Conference rivals Welling and keeping a firm hold on their proud unbeaten home record in the process. It was all change for manager Ian Painter, who made no fewer than five changes to the squad that went to Ilkeston last week; out went Bryan Small, Ashley Williams, Wayne Simpson, Derek Rae and Graham Lancashire; in came Stuart Ryder, Stewart Airdrie, Kevin Francis, Anthony Maguire and Les Robinson. Small, Lancashire and Rae were dropped from the squad completely as Painter swung the axe

And it worked - the Pitmen put on a cracking show, with that man Piearce adding to his already impressive goals haul with another brace

 It was Welling who had the first sight of goal, however, with John Farley firing in a shot on five minutes, but it was easily fielded by goalkeeper Michael Bingham

 On ten minutes, Piearce had his first sniff at goal - played in by the impressive Francis, he saw his goalbound shot deflected away for a corner by a Welling defender

 From the resulting set piece, Piearce found the net, only to be pulled up by the referee for a foul on Welling keeper Glenn Knight

 Finally, on twenty six minutes, Piearce got one that counted, after good play from David Berks and Lake enabled Piearce to fire home from twelve yards out past the onrushing Knight

 Back came Welling, and they equalised on thirty six minutes with Paul Booth heading downwards and under Bingham to put the scores level at the break

 The Pitmen's team talk must have been effective as they were a team transformed in the second half, totally dominating proceedings with some excellent football and three goals to boot

 Francis had a goal disallowed on fifty six minutes, again for a foul on Knight, but made amends on sixty four minutes, firing home after being teed up by substitute Maguire, who had come on for Paul Ware

By now, the Pitmen were rampant, and added a third eight minutes later courtesy of a wonderful breakaway goal. Stewart Airdrie's incisive pass saw Piearce scamper after the ball before lifting it over Knight and into the net

It was all Hednesford from here on in, and Francis was denied by a brilliant save from Knight on seventy five minutes

The hosts wrapped up a very well-earned victory with Lake on eighty four minutes, firing home off the post from fully twenty five yards out after being set up by Francis  cds

Bath City (A) 

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Francis

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Ware

Lake

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