With just a dozen or so league games until the end of the season, it’s an important time for both Hednesford Town and Widnes who meet at Keys Park on Saturday 15th February in a Northern Premier League West game.
The two form sides in the Division, Hednesford have picked up 14 points from their last six games while Widnes have 13, meet in a fixture that will have an important bearing on their promotion aspirations. The Pitmen are currently in fourth place in the table with 53 points from 30 games, nine behind league leaders Widnes who have played a game less. Of their 29 games this season, Widnes have won 19, drawn five and lost five. At home they’ve picked up 32 points from 10 wins, two draws and three defeats and have gained just two less points on their travels from nine wins, three draws and two defeats. The losses were 0-1 at Trafford and 1-2 at Chasetown early in the season with them not losing away from home since the middle of September. However, after a stuttering start at home at the beginning of the season when they only picked up one league win in their first six matches, Hednesford have since only lost once at Keys Park, against Bootle in early December and in that time have picked up 17 points out of a possible 24.
Last season it was honours even between Hednesford and Widnes, with the home side coming out on top in both games, Widnes 5-1 in August and Hednesford 3-0 in January thanks to goals from Ahmed Ali, Ryan Boothe and Jai Verma. Earlier this season Hednesford won 3-2 at Widnes with two goals from Dan Trickett-Smith and one from Dom McHale. Both players have 10 league goals this season alongside the departed Manny Duku while Widnes’ leading scorers in the league are James Steele and Sean Miller who both have 11, followed by Sharif Deans on eight. Miller though has missed the last two Widnes games through injury while Hednesford will be without Rob Stevenson, Jack Rose, Omar Holness, Josh Endall and Chris Hussey. Dan Sparkes and Jake Jervis face late fitness tests but Elliott Johnson will be available after playing 45 minutes in the midweek Birmingham Senior Cup game against Solihull Moors.
Manager Gavin Hurren is expecting a difficult encounter: “This is a huge game, and we can’t underestimate the challenge ahead. We will have to be at our very best to take something from this match”.
Kick off on Saturday is at the usual time of 3pm with gates opening at 12.30pm. Admission will be £11 adults, £8 concessions/ disabled with carer, £3 10-18, free for U10s but all under 16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets can be bought via the Fanbase app or by cash/card at the appropriate turnstile.
On Sunday 16th February Hednesford Ladies continue their league campaign when they entertain Walsall Wood. Kick off will be at 2pm with admission £3 adults and £1 concessions.
