Hednesford Town’s first home game of 2025 comes on Saturday 4th January when Nantwich Town visit Keys Park for a Northern Premier League West game. The Pitmen know that a win would take them above the Dabbers and into the play-off zone with Nantwich sitting in fourth place with 42 points from 23 games while Hednesford are in sixth with 39 from 24 but have a superior goal difference. Of Nantwich’s 42 points, 26 of them have been earned at their Swansway Stadium home while on their travels they have gained 16. These have come from five wins, a draw at Clitheroe and five defeats against Bootle (0-2), Chasetown (0-4), Mossley (0-1), Avro (1-2) and Witton Albion (0-2). Their leading scorers are Kai Evans with 11 all in the league, Byron Harrison with seven, six in the league including three penalties and one in the cup while Tom Pratt (4+1) and Callum Saunders (3+2) have five each although Saunders will be suspended following his red card against Witton Albion on Boxing Day. Hednesford’s top scorers are Manny Duku with 17 (nine league, eight cup), Dom McHale with 15 (nine league six cup) while Dan Trickett-Smith has 11, 10 of which have come in the league.
Over the years the two clubs have met on 15 occasions with Hednesford winning seven, drawing five and losing three. At Keys Park Hednesford have four Northern Premier League wins, two draws and one defeat. On Boxing Day last season, The Pitmen defeated the Dabbers 3-2. Byron Harrison gave the visitors a 13th minute lead with Daniel Gyasi equalising ten minutes later. Jake Kirby reinstated Nantwich’s lead but six minutes from time Jai Verma restored parity. In the last minute Troy Bourne fouled Josh Endall in the area to earn himself a second yellow card and Tom Thorley stepped up to convert the resultant penalty.
At 27 Nantwich Manager Jon Moran is one of the youngest in non league football. Back in 2018/19 he spent time on loan at Hednesford from Chester, making eight appearances plus one as sub.
Hednesford Manager Gavin Hurren said of Saturday’s game: “Nantwich are a top side currently sitting in fourth place. They’ve been in good form and will undoubtedly arrive here looking to take something from the game”. He added a final note for the supporters, saying “To have 2,500 of you here on Boxing Day was phenomenal and to see so many of you making the trip to Chasetown was truly special”.
Saturday’s game kicks off at the usual time of 3pm. With the club’s new frost covers being used since Thursday, it is hoped that the recent cold spell won’t have any effect on the game taking place. Admission will be £11 adults, £8 concessions/disabled with carer, £3 13-17 (under 16s have to be accompanied by an adult), £3 10-12 accompanied by an adult and free for under 10s accompanied by an adult. Advance tickets for the game can be purchased via the Fanbase app but cash or card payments are available on the day. Car parking is £3 but must be booked in advance, again through the Fanbase app as no cash or drive ups will be accepted. Gates open at 12.30pm.
On Sunday 5th January Hednesford Town Ladies will play Newcastle Town in a league game, kicking off at 2pm. Admission is £3 adults and £1 concessions.
