On Saturday 8th March Hednesford Town face another team with play-off ambitions in the Northern Premier League West Division when Stalybridge Celtic visit Keys Park for a game which was originally postponed on December 7th.
Earlier in the season, Hednesford and Stalybridge played out a seven goal thriller at Bower Fold. The Pitmen took a three goal lead in 34 minutes through Manny Duku (2) and Joel Taylor only for Celtic to level things up before half time with Max Leonard (2) and Brandon Newell scoring. Newell would add his second and Stalybridge’s fourth in the 76th minute to give the home side what seemed an hour earlier, an unlikely three points. That game is one of 10 that Stalybridge have won at home this season, drawing just one and losing six. Away from home their form has earned six wins, four draws and six defeats against Vauxhall Motors (2-3), Newcastle Town (1-2), Widnes (0-3), Bootle (2-5), Congleton Town (1-3) and Nantwich Town (0-4). The team currently sit in sixth place in the league table with 53 points from 33 games, seven behind Hednesford. Despite losing six games on their travels, Stalybridge are undefeated in their last six away games while Hednesford haven’t lost at Keys Park in their last six home league games.
In all competitions Celtic’s top scorers are Liam Tongue with 13 (10 league) and Jack Irlam who has nine (eight league) while Joe Duckworth has also scored nine to go with the five he scored for Witton Albion earlier in the season. In all competitions for The Pitmen Dom McHale has 16 goals, Jack Bearne 12 and Dan Trickett Smith and Jake Jervis 11.
Manager Gavin Hurren says “Stalybridge are a strong side coming into this fixture in excellent form, having lost just once in their last seven league outings. Like ourselves, they have promotion ambitions, and we know we’ll have to be at our very best to come away with a positive result”. Hednesford should have virtually a full squad to choose from as in the last three matches- against Congleton, Rushall and the Development game against Tamworth, only Rob Stevenson, Jack Rose and Dan Sparkes have failed to get any minutes under their belts although Ollie Harrison will sit out the second and last game of his suspension.
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 9th March Hednesford Ladies are away to Redditch in the Division One Cup. Kick off at the Valley Stadium, Sallie Swan Street off Bromsgrove Road, Redditch, Worcestershire B97 4AU is at 2pm.
