Hednesford Town welcome Blyth Spartans to Keys Park on Saturday afternoon looking to bounce back immediately following their surprise 2-1 defeat to Frickley Athletic last week.

With league leaders North Ferriby United also tasting surprise defeat against Buxton, The Pitmen’s position didn’t change a great deal despite the loss of their unbeaten away record and, should results go their way, Hednesford supporters could be eating Christmas turkey with their team top of the Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division.

Manager Rob Smith stayed positive after the Frickley result, confident that his side will continue to prove their title winning credentials by striving to win as many games as possible, a tactic which led to them conceding a late goal last Saturday.

‘With the benefit of hindsight, perhaps we should have shut up shop and been happy with the point but I felt we were on top and went for the win. Some you win, some you lose but, as has been proved many times in the last couple of years, going for the win has worked for us in the past.’

The first team squad enjoyed a night out in Leeds following the match in Yorkshire and Smith admitted morale was a little low but held solace in the fact that, on another day, his team would have won.

‘Morale was understandably a bit low but on the balance of play we could have won the game and had the chances to do so. I have every confidence that the players will react positively on Saturday.’

There are no injury concerns or suspensions for Saturday’s game against a Blyth side who were beaten 2-1 by The Pitmen in the early stages of the season in the corresponding fixture.

The Spartans have lost three matches on the bounce having faced third placed Marine and fourth placed Witton, conceding eight goals in the process, and undoubtedly go into the game as underdogs but, as has been proved against Frickley and Stocksbridge this season, the favourites tag doesn’t always equal three points.
The Pitmen will no doubt be mindful.

Pitmen Form – LWWWWL
Previous Result – Frickley Athletic 2 Hednesford Town 1 – Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division – Saturday 15th December
Next Fixture – Stafford Rangers (A) – Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division – Weddnesday 26th December
League Position – 2nd

Blyth Spartans Form – WLDLLL
Previous Result – Blyth Spartans 0 Witton Albion 3 – Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division – Saturday 15th December
Next Fixture – Whitby Town (H) – Evo-Stik Northern Premier Division – Wednesday 26th December
League Position – 15th

KO – 3pm
Address of Ground – Keys Park, Keys Park Road, Hednesford, WS12 2DZ