Hednesford Town make a swift return to the RACE stadium this evening looking for more Southern Premier League Central points when they entertain Barwell.

The Pitmen were disappointed on Saturday when they were 3-1 up against Royston only to drop two vital points in a 3-3 draw as the visitors fought back well. Barwell were also in action at the weekend and they earned a splendid 3-1 win at Redditch with the help of new signings Jahvan Davidson-Miller from Mickleover and former Pitman Shaquille Master from Nuneaton. Barwell are only two places above us in the table with five points more than us having played two fewer games so even at this early stage of the season it looks to be a very important game. In their previous two games they had conceded five against Mickleover and four against Tamworth and with our high scoring and high conceding side at the moment there could be plenty of goals this evening. Having just survived relegation last season due to having one of the better records of the 18th placed teams across the four step three leagues, Barwell also lost the league’s top goalscorer when striker Ben Stephens moved to National League North side King’s Lynn. Former Pitmen also in their last matchday squad along with midfielder Master were goalkeeper Andy Wycherley and defender Kyle Rowley, all players who were very recently with the Pitmen. Barwell also have highly rated and experienced midfielder Brady Hickey in their side who is their leading goalscorer with seven league goals. Last season’s game at the RACE stadium saw the Pitmen clinch a last minute equaliser for a 1-1 draw having dominated the game, and then on the final day of last season we won a highly entertaining game 4-3. The Canaries had a managerial change over the summer when Guy Hadland resigned and was replaced by Ian King.

The Pitmen will be without long term injury victim Riley O’Sullivan, defender Harvey Portman, who returns from holiday later this week and wing-back Zac Hartley, who had an excellent start to the game on Saturday, but will also miss out as a precaution after a tweak in his hamstring forced him off in the first half. On the plus side Leroy Lita will be available as he has had no reaction to the back spasms that saw him withdrawn at half time.

Hednesford’s performances have been much better of late and after surrendering two goal leads against Coalville and more recently Royston to only pick one point it is imperative that we start to hold on to the lead in games. On Saturday’s draw against Royston the management team said: “Saturday felt like a defeat and the mood after was one of disappointment and anger but also a tremendous desire to put it right. The lads know we are not far away and they have reacted well to the highlights and self evaluated their roles in the goals conceded.”

This is a very important game as we can bring ourselves within two points of Barwell with a win or we will fall eight points behind them with a defeat and the management team said this of tonight’s opponents: “Barwell, as with every game, will be tough but we have seen there is not much between any team in this league. Our focus is on what we can do better but being at home we are all desperate to get that win in front of our fans.”