The Pitmen clash with one of their main rivals for the three remaining play-off positions on Saturday as they travel to Lancashire to face Chorley in yet another massive game for the Club.
Following last Saturday’s frustrating 2-1 defeat to FC United, which closed the gap between the two sides to just three points, Rob Smith will no doubt be looking for a reaction against an in-form Chorley side who have won four of their last six.
The season’s previous meeting between Hednesford and Chorley will give Pitmen supporters hope of a positive result with Keys Park seeing a solid 2-0 victory for the home side in November with an outstanding two-goal salvo by Gary Hay.
Chorley thrashed Worksop Town 5-1 away from home last Saturday and won the Lancashire FA Trophy against Kendal Town at The Reebok Stadium, in front of over two thousand spectators, the Tuesday before so the team who currently share an identical points, goals scored and goals conceded tally with The Pitmen will certainly prove a test and Rob Smith is keen to stress Chorley are stronger side since their last meeting.
‘Chorley have strengthened since our 2-0 victory in November so I don’t think that game has any influence at all on Saturdays game despite our good performance. My players know that on any given day they can beat any team in the league, it’s the same for all teams in the league, anyone can beat anyone at the moment. It’s another big game we are all looking forward to.’
Team news wise, Smith and Larry Chambers are able to pick from a fully fit squad save for the ankle injury Michael Ordish is still suffering with.
Following the midweek games in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division it looks likely to be a scrap between four teams for three play off places as Northwich look secure in second and Marine’s recent struggles leave them four points off the play-offs having played more games than their rivals.
Bradford Park Avenue are three points clear of The Pitmen and Chorley with FC United a further three points behind but with a game in hand on Hednesford.
Bradford and FC United look to have winnable home games in the form of meetings with Ashton United and Worksop Town respectively but a positive performance and result from Rob Smith’s side will still keep The Pitmen in the hunt for a play-off berth.
Pitmen Form – LDDWLL
Previous Result – Hednesford Town 1-2 FC United of Manchester – Sat 17th March
Next Fixture – Nantwich Town (H) Sat 24th March 3.00pm KO
League Position – 4th
Chorley Form – WDWLWW
Previous Result – Worksop Town 1-5 Chorley – Sat 10th March
Next Fixture – Stocksbridge Steels (A) Sat 24th March
League Position – 3rd
KO – 3pm
Address of Ground – Victory Park, Duke Street, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 3DU
Travel Club Supporters Coach Departure Time – 10.45am
