> 15.9.2007

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Hednesford's stuttering form took an alarming turn for the worse today as they escaped with a replay against Midland Alliance side Stratford Town, who were unlucky not to beat the poor Pitmen at the first time of asking

The home side started brightly, with Ross Dyer looking menacing in his wide position. He linked up well with Chris Adam early on, but the move came to nothing 

Peter Knox, looking to extend his run of goals in recent week, played in Ross Adams soon after, but the defender's shot was well saved by  former Solihull Borough keeper Mark Sheils

Despite having all of the play, the Pitmen were frustrating their supporters by not producing chances. Dominic Heath and Adams were lively on the ball, but were producing no real end product for Knox and co. With this in mind, Stratford started to get a foot hold in the game, as they fed off the Pitmen's frustrations. Jack Byrne just missed the target with a lob, whilst big target man Rory May saw his effort saved by Rene Gilmartin

Knox should have done better with an effort on the half hour. After Adam and Sheils had collided, Knox picked up the loose ball, but failed to even hit the target, despite the keeper being down

It was the powerfully built, but awkward May who could so nearly have embarrassed the Pitmen on numerous occasions as the half drew in, with two shots flying wide of goal, and another forcing Gilmartin into a smart save to his left

Phil Starbuck's team talk failed to have the right impact, as Stratford emerged the better side at the start of the second half; Byrne again tested Gilmartin, before May again failed to hit the target

The Pitmen huffed and puffed their way around the pitch, with only Adam and Dyer offering any real penetration. Dyer fired a warning shot just over the bar on fifty four minutes, before the re-introduction of Mario Pedro, who came on for Adam

A flurry of activity in and around the Stratford area on the hour failed to conjure up a goal, with Knox, Dyer and Dave Macpherson all having opportunities

It just wasn't happening for the Pitmen, with Stratford finishing the game the stronger. Byrne almost seized upon a mistake from Tom Marshall, followed quickly by a shot from Jerome Grandison that was saved by the impressive Gilmartin. Byrne tested Gilmartin's reflexes again with ten minutes remaining, before the Pitmen got the biggest let-off of the afternoon with a minute to go

A ball in from the left was met by the unmarked May at the far post, but somehow he managed to miss the target with what looked a simple header into the corner of the net. With a second chance they barely deserved, the Pitmen had better take their opportunity well when they meet at Damson Park, Solihull, on Wednesday night cds

Stratford Town (A) FAC

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Action from Keys Park:  1. Dominic Heath makes a run down the line   2. Chris Adam  - a rare start for the winger against Stratford   3. He's back! Mario Pedro on the ball for Hednesford, as if he's never been away

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