On Saturday 16th December, Hednesford welcome Newcastle Town to Keys Park for their latest Northern Premier League West fixture, hoping for not only their first home league win of the season but also their first double following the 1-0 victory at The Red Industries Stadium back in August.
That performance was one of the Pitmen’s best of the season so far and deserved more than a one goal winning margin, earned by Max Dixon’s 76th minute header. That defeat is one of four that Newcastle have suffered at home while they have lost just twice on their travels, at Bootle and Clitheroe, both by 2-1 margins. They have also drawn 1-1 at both Runcorn Linnets and Chasetown while winning at Hanley (3-1), Widnes (2-0), Kidsgrove (2-1) and Nantwich (1-0).
Familiar faces in the visitors’ squad will be Reinaldo Forbes who left Keys Park earlier this season and Dan Cockerline who had a loan spell from Southport in 2018/19. Cockerline is Newcastle’s leading scorer with six league goals followed by Tommy Van der Laan with four and Callum Speed on three.
Newcastle are currently in 13th place in the league with 21 points from 16 games, nine points better off than Hednesford. The current form table has the teams a little closer as Newcastle have picked up seven points from their last six games compared to the Pitmen’s five.
Turnstiles and bars open at 1pm on Saturday for a 3pm kick off. Admission is £11 adults, £8 concessions (students, disabled and over 60s), £3 Under 16s. Car parking is also £3 with the award winning matchday programme at £2.50. There will be collection boxes at the turnstiles if anyone would like to make a donation to the local foodbank.
Finally, Merry Christmas to all Pitmen supporters.
