Saturday 9 November 2002 - Keys Park - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division

After resting the majority of his first team for the Dr Martens Cup defeat against Tiverton Town City boss Alan Pridham turned back to his more usual line-up with Paul Milsom earning a starting spot up front in place of youngster Dan Cleverley. Facing them was the imposing figure of 6'8 striker Kevin Francis and his fifth minute shot brought the first save out of Mark Bryant. City responded with a Gary Kemp header that was comfortably gathered by home keeper Bingham on his debut. However, it took until just the 11th minute for him to concede for his new club. Andy Williams won possession off his namesake midway in the Hednesford half. He raced toward goal before squaring the ball back toward Jason Eaton. City's top scorer didn't connect perfectly but still turned the cross home to the delight of the 50+ City fans gathered behind the goal. The home side responded strongly and Mike Trought had to be at his best to clear Small's goalbound shot. The equaliser arrived on 25 minutes. Aidrie almost grabbed the goal when his deflected effort dropped narrowly wide with Bryant beaten. From the resultant corner Francis headed down and Piearce easily converted from four yards out. Hednesford were now clearly on top but their momentum appeared to be disrupted when shortly after the goal Bryant had to receive lengthy treatment after dislocating his little finger. With no substitute keeper he was forced into carrying on once the finger was put back in place and his performance showed little sign of the problem. Piearce failed to test him with a 36th minute volley and then his defensive wall did it's job to block Simkin's free-kick after Francis was felled by Kemp. He did suffer one nervous moment before the interval, spilling Ware's shot only to block Brindley's follow up. The ball then rebounded to an unmarked Francis but he somehow contrived to head wide of the unguarded goal. City's closest effort to restoring their lead came from a Milsom volley and a Jim Rollo cross that just eluded Eaton.

Having conceded goals at the start of the second half in their last two serious games City almost grabbed an unwanted treble when Wray was given too much space in the City box. Milsom managed to block this shot and Bryant was called into action two minutes later, palming away Francis' close range header. Eaton then twice brought saves out of Bingham in the space of a minute. Francis continued to cause problems for the City back line but fortunately his finishing ability failed to match his physical presence. He headed a Ware free-kick over on 56 minutes then ran clear onto a Aidrie pass only to drag his shot well wide just before the hour mark. A minute later City replaced Stuart James with Frankie Bennett and it was the substitute who helped City restore their lead. His 72nd minute run took him past Small and he sent in a low cross that Williams fired home at the far post. This time City joy lasted for just three minutes. Again the goal came from a corner - this time Bryant's stunning one handed save from Wray earning the hosts the kick. The centre was cleared as far as Wray. His return appeared to be headed safely into Bryant's arms only for a slight deflection off Gary Thorne to leave the keeper grasping at thin air. Both sides had a chance to win the game late on - Bryant saving again from Francis and Milsom firing over when well-placed - but a draw was a fair result at the end of an entertaining encounter.