Weather permitting, Hednesford Town will take another journey to the Manchester area when they travel to Wythenshawe for their latest Northern Premier League West game on Saturday 11th January.
Wythenshawe are currently in the relegation zone in 20th place with 24 points from 25 games. They have lost their last eight games including the last five at home, picking up 14 points from 14 home matches so far this season. They have won three, drawn five and lost six of those matches, tasting defeat against City of Liverpool (1-4), Mossley (1-2), Chasetown (0-3), Vauxhall Motors (0-2), Widnes (1-2) and in the Boxing Day derby against Wythenshawe Town (0-2) when they saw their biggest home crowd of the season for “El Civico”, 1,204. Away from home they have 10 points from 11 games from three wins, seven defeats and a draw at Keys Park back in October when Ryan Tioffo earned his side a point after an Alaistair Brown own goal had given Hednesford a second minute lead. Wythenshawe’s leading scorers are Abdullahi Ahmed and Darrhyl Mason who have six each followed by Michael Phenix on four.
Hednesford moved into the Play-Off places following their 2-0 win over Nantwich Town at the weekend and although The Dabbers moved back above them in midweek after their 1-1 draw with the other Wythenshawe side, Town, they are still in fifth spot with 42 points from 25 games. Gavin Hurren added some experience to his squad this week with the signing of goalkeeper Tony Breeden from Spalding and defender Chris Hussey from Stratford Town. Breeden, who will be 37 at the end of the month boasts a stellar non league career at Kidderminster Harriers, Tamworth, Solihull Moors, Leamington (where he made over 300 appearances), Sutton Coldfield, Rushall Olympic, Nuneaton and Bromsgrove Sporting while Hussey who was 36 on January 2nd has made 564 league and cup appearances in a 16 year career playing for AFC Wimbledon, Coventry City, Burton Albion, Bury, Sheffield United, Cheltenham Town, Port Vale, Stockport County and Walsall. Both are available on Saturday. Dan Trickett-Smith will have a late fitness test before the game but is expected to be fit while Jake Jervis has a calf injury and will be out for 4-6 weeks. Rob Stevenson remains a long term casualty.
Wythenshawe play at Hollyedge Park Community Stadium, Altrincham Road, Sharston, Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester M22 4US. They have been there since 2017 and the ground has a capacity of 1,500 while their record attendance came on Boxing Day 2023 when 1,450 saw another derby against Wythenshawe Town. Their average attendance this season is 432. The club are currently looking for their third manager of the season following James Kinsey’s resignation on Wednesday. He had only been in charge since January 3rd after taking over from Shane Goldrick who stepped down on 27th December.
Admission is £10 adults, £6 concessions, £5 16-19 and students while under 16s accompanied by an adult are free. Kick off will be at 3pm but keep an eye on the club’s social media channels for any news on pitch inspections.
On Sunday 12th January Hednesford Town Ladies are away to Lichfield City Ladies in a Division One League game. Lichfield play at the Trade Tyre Stadium WS13 6AY which has an artificial surface so the game should be able to go ahead.
