On August bank Holiday Monday 25th August, it’s two games in three days when Hednesford Town entertain Rushall Olympic in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.
Both teams have made decent starts to the campaign, Rushall being in second place following their relegation from the National League North with three wins and two draws giving them 11 points. The Pitmen lie in fifth spot with nine points from three wins and two defeats.
Rushall have beaten Ashton United 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Warrington Rylands and 2-2 with Stockton at home, winning both of their away games 3-0 at Leek Town and 1-0 at Guiseley. Ex-Pitman Anthony Dwyer is their leading scorer with three goals followed by Alex Moore with two. Ian Long was appointed as Pics’ manager in April with his long time no 2 Richard Colwell as assistant and they have had to rebuild the side following relegation. Another ex-Pitman, Carter Lycett was their first signing followed by striker Aaron Bishop who scored 12 times for Darlaston Town last season. Goalkeeper Dan Jezeph joined from Kettering Town along with Dan Jarvis from Banbury United, Toumani Sidibe from Stourbridge and ex-Boldmere St Michaels and Sutton Coldfield centre back Pedro Lima. Another centre back, Sam Whittall returned to Dales Lane from AFC Telford United and the club also welcomed back Jordaan Brown from Stourbridge while Aurio Teixeira signed from Redditch United. Several players who had worked with Long before also linked up with their ex-manager as Jack Fletcher, Sam Unitt, Jack Burgess and Mitch Botfield all put pen to paper along with full back Connor Armstrong from Dudley Town, Osaze Okuanghae, and Jamie Soule. Fenton Heard returned to Rushall following his release from WBA and goalkeeper Ben Cisse came in on loan from the same club.
After two successive away defeats, 0-1 at Morpeth and 0-3 at Prescot Cables, Hednesford return to Keys Park where they are unbeaten so far this season, having seen off Warrington Town 2-1 and Workington 2-0 to go with the opening day 1-0 win at Hebburn. The Pitmen squad has been hit by injury in the first part of the season and several players will undergo fitness tests before the game.
Kick off on Monday is at 3pm with admission being £13 adults, £10 concessions, 17-18, and disabled (non-wheelchair access), £5 U16 and free for U10s but all U16s must be accompanied by a paying adult. Supporters are advised to use the FanBase app to purchase tickets although cash or card payments can be made at the ticket office up to 30 minutes before kick-off.
