On Saturday 13th April, there will be another team making their first ever visit to Keys Park when Avro travel down from Oldham to play Hednesford in a Northern Premier League West Division fixture.
The previous meeting between the clubs in November last year ended all square with James Dwyer cancelling out Joe Thompson’s opener for Hednesford, one of six draws Avro have had at home this season along with five wins and six defeats. Away they have won eight, drawn six and lost only three to Bootle (0-1), Widnes (0-2) and Runcorn Linnets (1-2) so from their 35 games so far, they have picked up 51 points which sees them in ninth place in the league table having scored 44 goals but conceding 43. Their leading scorer is Kyle Hawley with 12 although four of these came in the 4-2 at Trafford on Easter Monday. Even though 10 places separate Hednesford and Avro in the league table, the current form table has them much more closely matched with Avro in seventh place with 10 points from six games and Hednesford in eighth with nine from six.
Like several managers, Avro boss Alex Frost and his assistant Phil Edghill are to step down at the end of the season due to work and family commitments. They have been in charge, initially on an interim basis since January 2022.
Hednesford still have injury doubts over Ryan Brown, Blaine Rowe and Josh Endall although Matthew Barnes-Homer, Joe Berks and Junior Brown who were all substituted in the midweek cup game at Chasetown are expected to be available along with Jai Verma who was cup-tied. Jake Jervis and Nathan Delfouneso are also available for selection.
For the last two home league games of the season, owners Craig and Amanda Gwilt have announced reduced admission prices of £6 adults, £3 concessions and £1 U16s and at the turnstiles there will be voting forms for Player of the Year, Young Player of the Year (under 23) and Clubman of the Year. Turnstiles and bars open at 1pm for a 3pm kick off.
