On Good Friday, 18th April Hednesford Town play Mossley AFC at Keys Park in their penultimate home game of the regular Northern Premier League West Division season. The recent league meetings between the two teams have been very close affairs. In the 2006/7 season it was goalless at Keys Park and 1-1 at Seel Park, Ross Dyer scoring Hednesford’s goal while in 2023/4 Mossley won both games by the only goal and earlier this season it was another 1-0 home victory for the Lancastrians.
Dom McHale’s penalty at Kidsgrove last Saturday was his 18th goal of the season in all competitions and he is followed by Jack Bearne on 13 and Dan Trickett-Smith who has 12. Mossley’s leading scorer is midfielder Mason Fawns with 11, five of which are penalties while Obua Mugalula is close behind on 10 in all competitions while Eric Yahaya has nine. Hednesford fans may recognise Joe Berks in the visitors’ squad after his short spell with the club at the end of last season when he made two starts and six substitute appearances. Mossley manager David Fish who has been with the club since June 2020 will be stepping down at the end of the season after being in charge of 193 competitive games.
Hednesford go into Friday’s game knowing that a win will send them to the top of the table for at least 24 hours before current leaders Widnes play Nantwich Town on Saturday. Hednesford are top of the current form table with 15 points from their last six games and second in the league table with 75 points from 39 games and a goal difference of +38 while Mossley are in 14th place on current form with seven points from six games and 13th in the league table with 53 points from 39 matches. 30 points have come from 20 home games – eight wins, six draws and six defeats while 23 have come on their travels- six wins, five draws and eight defeats in 19 games, their heaviest defeat coming at Runcorn Linnets where they down 1-4.
Hednesford manager Gavin Hurren said “ Mossley are a dangerous side and have shown throughout the season that they’re capable of beating anyone. They underlined that again last week by taking a point off the league leaders”. Apart from long term absentees Rob Stevenson and Jack Rose the home side should have a full squad to choose from although Akheem Rose will again undergo a late fitness test.
Kick off on Friday is at 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. Voting for Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season is taking place online this year, please see the website or social media for details.
