Saturday 3 January 2004 - Twerton Park - kick off 3.00pm Dr Martens Premier Division

That worry is for the future but the present saw City record their second successive home league win and in the process lift themselves off the foot of the Dr Martens Premier Division. With Matt Coupe suspended they made one change to the side that played Newport County off the park two days earlier, only to leave Wales empty-handed, with Adam Howarth making his first league start since October at centre-back. Captain Steve Jones switching to right back to accommodate Howarth. His lack of match action almost cost City dear within eight minutes of the start. A mix-up between himself and keeper Mark Bryant led to a frantic goalmouth scramble. The first two shots were blocked before Dean blasted a third effort wide. This was about as good as it got for the visitors as Howarth settled down and alongside man of the match Mike Trought produced as solid a defensive display as has been seen at Twerton this season. At the other end City took a while to get going but soon were starting to pass the ball around on the heavy surface. Frankie Bennett almost got onto the end of a Jim Rollo knock down from Gary Owers’ cross and then Jason Eaton’s 21st minute shot was charged down by Barrow. Owers subsequently volleyed the increasingly influential Russell Milton’s centre wide. A rare Hednesford attack saw Bryant get down well to save McGhee’s shot. The best move of the first half after 39 minutes began with Howarth’s perfectly timed tackle on the edge of his own box. He fed Bennett who moved it on to Owers. The player-manager switched the focus of the attack to Milton down the left flank where he made ground before firing a fierce shot that flew narrowly over the bar. Hawkins then had a shot blocked following good work by Bennett. Just as half-time approached it looked as if City would suffer for their failure to convert pressure into goals when Hines’ corner fell to Danks but his volley was just off target.

The second half began with Barrow heading Rollo’s cross out for a corner with Eaton behind him poised to apply the finishing touch. Howarth’s header from the resultant set-piece was off-target, with the defender receiving a bang in the face for his brave effort. Despite their inability to get the vital breakthrough City didn’t panic and continued to play football with keeper Young having to turn Bennett’s 53rd minute shot around the post. Moments later Bennett got clear down the right. Rather then shooting he tried to pick out Eaton which allowed Gibsontime to intercept and clear the danger. Just past the hour mark the goal finally arrived. Again Bennett was at the heart of it, making ground before firing in a shot that struck Hawkins. This turned out to be a stroke of luck as the ball fell perfectly for Rollo to volley home his first goal since the corresponding fixture last season against Town from 12 yards. If City had worried that this goal would force the visitors to lift their game their fears were to prove groundless as they continued to control proceedings. With 16 minutes remaining it looked as if City had secured victory with a bizarre second goal. A trademark Bennett run had ended with him crossing the ball and ending up off the pitch. He waited there while City retained possession to avoid being flagged offside and when Hednesford regained the ball jogged back onto the pitch. However, as he reached the six yard box an attempted back pass by Hines was directed straight at him. He immediately turned and blasted it past Young. Despite not having deliberately come back onto the pitch to intercept the pass the referee took a dim view of his actions, disallowing the goal and then booking the birthday boy. Hednesford tried to take advantage of this lucky break by bringing on Lamey to form a three man front-line but instead City made the most of this approach by grabbing a second goal with two minutes remaining. Brindly conceded possession on the halfway line letting Bennett and Hawkins race toward goal. It was the latter who had possession as he advanced on the area and his finish was top quality as he stroked the ball past Young from 20 yards out.