Rob Smith, manager of Evo-Stik League Premier Division side Hednesford Town, has targeted two wins from his side’s next two league games as his Pitmen team look to recover their form after an enforced lay off due to the winter cold snap.

Keys Park was gripped by frost which caused their top of the table clash with Northwich to be called off last Tuesday and their planned game versus Burscough fell victim to the snow and ice, just like every other game in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division on Saturday.

Smith (pictured) would rather have played immediately following two defeats against Marine and FC United of Manchester and is mindful of the threat North Ferriby will pose despite their mid-table position in the league.

He said: “We would have preferred to play straight after the FC United game to get back to winning ways but we have trained throughout the bad weather and it has been nice to get some time on the training pitch after so many games. Anyone can beat anyone in this league and North Ferriby will be a tough test, especially with the likes of Gary Bradshaw and Wayne Brooksby in their squad.”

The Pitmen will cement their place in the play-off picture with victory on Saturday and will still hold faint hopes of a late title charge if they pick up maximum points on Saturday and the following weekend at home to Marine.

Smith is obviously wary of looking too far in the future but, as he has stressed all season, his squad have the strength of character and, more importantly, the quality, to sustain a promotion challenge.

“I am fully confident that my squad will be involved in the promotion shake up at the end of the season. We have the ability to beat any side on our day and, with the signing of Jermaine Johnson to bolster our defence, I have every faith in my players.”

> Chris Brewerton