On Saturday 16th August Hednesford Town have their second home Northern Premier League Premier Division game of the season when they welcome Workington AFC to Keys Park.
After being promoted through the playoffs in 2022/23, Workington finished in 17th place in 2023/24 with 44 points from 40 games, improving their standing last season when they moved up to 12th gaining 52 points from 42 games. In pre-season The Reds beat Cleator Moor Celtic 3-0, Heaton Stannington 2-1, Whitehaven 5-0, drew 1-1 with both Penrith and Caledonian Braves and lost just once, 0-2 at Scottish League One side Queen of the South.
Manager Darren Edmondson added centre back Jack Dickinson from Scottish Lowland League side Gretna 2008, striker Sharif Deans from Widnes after the demise of last season’s NPL West Champions and Romeo Park from Carlisle City to his squad ahead of Saturday’s league opener when Workington went down 1-2 at home to Whitby Town in a game where kick off was delayed by 30 minutes due to the visitors’ coach breaking down. Luke Ellis had given the home side the lead before Whitby drew level on 61 minutes through Woods before Smith grabbed a stoppage time winner. On Tuesday night they travelled to Stockton and were soundly beaten 6-0 where home substitute Michael Beresford scored twice after replacing the injured Owen Gallacher in the ninth minute, a result that leaves Workington at the foot of the table.
Hednesford became one of only two teams in the Division with a 100% record on Tuesday night after beating Warrington Town 2-1 in front of a crowd of 2,003, Niall Watson and Elliott Johnson scoring in the second half before an added time consolation goal for the visitors. This followed up Saturday’s 1-0 win at Hebburn when Dom McHale scored the only goal of the game.
Ahead of the game Pitmen manager said; “Workington are a side who always make you work for it. They’ve got a good mix of experience and energy in their squad, so we’ll need to be sharp from the first whistle. We’re looking forward to playing at home again in front of our supporters and building on what we’ve started.”
Kick off on Saturday is the usual time of 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. Find matchday information here.
