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Chasetown v Hednesford Town

On New Year’s Day 2025 Hednesford Town will make the five mile trip to Chasetown for a Northern Premier League West fixture. Both teams tasted success on Boxing Day, Hednesford beating local rivals Stafford Rangers 4-2 at Keys Park with 2,503 watching through the fog while Chasetown travelled to the north of the county to Hanley who they defeated 2-0 in front of 155 people. The win moved the Scholars up to fourth place in the table with 41 points from 22 matches, four places and five points above the Pitmen who have 36 points from 23 games. Away from home Chasetown have picked up 15 points from ten games (four wins, three draws and three defeats) to go with the 26 they have gained at home. These have come from eight wins, two draws (3-3 v Congleton and 1-1 v Mossley) and just two defeats, 1-2 against Trafford and 3-4 against Stalybridge. Their average attendance this season is 379 with their highest gate being 699 when they played Stafford Rangers.

Over the last five meetings Chasetown have the upper hand with three draws in the league and two victories in the Walsall Senior Cup and FA Trophy. The Scholars feature eight ex-Pitmen in their squad. Kris Taylor, Sam Wilding, Joe Thompson, Joey Butlin, Tom Thorley, Danny Glover, George Cater and Sam Griffiths have all played for both sides while Manager Mark Swann was on Rob Smith’s coaching staff at Keys Park. Their leading scorers are two of those former Hednesford players George Cater and Danny Glover and they are joined on seven goals by Jack Langston who was once part of the Youth team. Hednesford’s top scorers in the league are Dan Trickett-Smith and Dom McHale with nine while Manny Duku has eight. All three were on the scoresheet on Boxing Day.

Apart from long term injury Rob Stevenson Manager Gavin Hurren will have a fully fit squad to choose from following Simeon Maye’s impressive return to action against Stafford Rangers. Zidan Sutherland has joined Stafford on a month’s loan where he will link up with fellow Hednesford loanee Abdulrasaq Alamu-Tajudeen. Chasetown play at The Scholars Ground, Church Street, Chasetown WS7 3QL. The ground has a capacity of 3,000 with 500 seats and an artificial pitch. For the game on New Year’s Day extra parking will be available at Burntwood Rugby Club and admission is Β£10 adults, Β£7 concessions, Β£4 U18s with free admission for U10s if accompanied by a paying adult. Kick-off is 3pm.