> 21.4.2003

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 A fine performance from the Pitmen at Keys Park this afternoon all but confirmed their Southern League status for next season with a resounding victory over fifth-placed Worcester. There was one change to the starting XI from Saturday's win over Hinckley; Adam Jenkins replaced the injured Michael Bingham between the sticks. Graham Lancashire returned to the bench as the fifth substitute 

The first half was a pretty poor affair in all honesty, with neither side really pressing home any advantage. Worcester had settled for a top eight finish for the season, so had very little to play for 

The first half would have been won on points by the home side, simply because they actually had a few of attempts on goal

 Firstly, a shot from skipper Steve Piearce flew agonisingly wide on twenty minutes, followed by a similar effort from Anthony Maguire only a few moments later

 Luke Corbett actually had the ball in the net on twenty six minutes, but his looping header over Worcester keeper Danny McDonnell was ruled out for offside by an over-zealous assistant referee

David Berks crossed for the onrushing David Moss on the half hour, but the former Swansea man could not direct his shot at goal, and spooned his shot over the stand

For Worcester, the dangerous Darren Middleton was being kept quiet by Chris Brindley as his well organised defensive unit, limiting him to only one half chance in the first period, a shot on the turn that went well wide

 The supporters had to wait until the second period for the real action to begin, when Hednesford finally managed to turn possession and chances into goals

Berks, Hednesford's resident dead ball specialist, saw a swerving free kick well saved by McDonnell on the hour before Worcester registered their one and only shot on target for the afternoon - a shot from John Snape that flew over the bar

 Just when it looked as though the game was petering out into a goalless draw, the Pitmen snatched victory with two goals in the final five minutes

 Firstly, on eighty five minutes, a Piearce cross was turned back across goal by Corbett. The onrushing David Moss collected the ball and prodded it home from close range - he could not miss

 On eighty eight minutes, Berks broke the Worcester offside trap and played in Corbett. His ball found Piearce who tapped home from a yard out to give the home side three well-deserved points  cds

Chelmsford City (A) 

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