> 12.4.2003

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 Hednesford find themselves back in the relegation scrap this afternoon after another home defeat, this time against fellow strugglers Weymouth. Player/manager Chris Brindley kept faith in his XI that gained a draw against Crawley on Monday night, adding himself to the bench at the expense of Wayne Simpson

 The Pitmen started brightly enough, with Cheltenham youngster Luke Corbett finding time to run and turn the Weymouth defence; his shot, however, was weak and straight at the keeper

 The midfield duo of Emeka Nwadike and David Moss bossed proceedings for the first quarter, putting the boot in where necessary and setting the likes of Corbett and Stewart Airdrie away

 Once the visitors had found their feet, however, they started to peg the home side back, winning a succession of corners that were well fielded by the Hednesford defence, with Stuart Ryder particularly impressive

 On the half hour, the Pitmen had a great chance to open the scoring when a low cross from Airdrie just evaded the onrushing Steve Piearce and Corbett

 Corbett also tried an ambitious forty five-yard lob soon after, following a poor goal kick, but watched it sail harmlessly over - he had spotted the keeper off his line after picking the ball up near halfway

 They were made to pay for this on forty minutes when Weymouth cleverly worked the ball into the area for striker Lee Phillips to fire home - their first real shot on goal, and a lead very much against the run of play

A half time talk from Brindley did little to lift Hednesford, although the introduction of David Berks for the out-of-sorts Airdrie made Hednesford more dangerous from set-pieces

 It was top scorer Piearce who had arguably the best chance of the half on the hour, receiving the ball in the area unchallenged by Corbett, only to take time on the ball rather than shoot - eventually the ball was scrambled clear

Moss's long-range effort came to nothing on seventy minutes, followed a minute later by a header from Piearce that was scrambled away from goal by a desperate Weymouth defence

 On came Kevin Francis and Graham Lancashire to create a three up front, but it was Moss that had a great chance to equalise on seventy nine minutes - some fantastic play from Stuart Ryder saw the defender send over a great cross that Moss somehow headed over the bar. On closer inspection, Francis was lurking in a far better position

 Francis scuffed a late effort as the Pitmen threw everything forward, to little avail. With a trip to Dover in the offing next week, a result there is crucial if the Pitmen are not to be dragged into the relegation fight in the last few games of the season cds

Dover Athletic (A) 

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Berks

Lake

Corbett

.15

Airdrie

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