Hednesford Town return to league action on Saturday afternoon with an intriguing local derby against Redditch United, hoping to win their third league match in a row for the first time since the opening three games of the season. Josh Endall will continue to miss out through injury for another two to three weeks.

Hednesford come into the game in 9th place in the Southern League Premier Central with at least three games in hand on every club above them, but will be looking for a win to start to bridge the 10 point gap between them and 5th placed Alvechurch, who currently occupy the final play-off position. Redditch are 16th and three places above the relegation zone with a four point gap. The two teams played out a 2-2 draw at Keys Park in October as the Pitmen took the lead twice and missed a penalty but were unable to hold on for the win.

Redditch are the second lowest scorers in the division with 27 goals and after leading scorer and former Pitmen Daniel Sweeney’s 11 goals, no other player has scored more than two goals all season. The Redditch squad includes a number of former Pitmen with Jamie Ashmore, Kieran Dawes, Callum Flanagan and Aram Soleman along with Sweeney having worn the Pitmen colours in the past. Their squad also includes Dennis Digie, the younger brother of former Pitman Kennedy and recent signing Ryan Edmunds from Nuneaton, who has missed the last two games through injury.

Redditch have already shown what they can do against the top teams in the league, having won at both Peterborough and Banbury and avoided defeat twice against Rushall so they must not be underestimated, and with the Hednesford management team and supporters harbouring a late push for the play-offs it is all set for a mouthwatering showdown at the Trico Stadium this Saturday afternoon (3pm).

 The Trico Stadium, Bromsgrove Road, Redditch, Worcestershire, B97 4RN