The Lions welcome Hednesford Town to Nethermoor for the first time in over 10 years as they hope to put an end to a poor run of form which has seen them drop into the Northern Premier League relegation zone, writes Scott Kelly.

Match sponsored by: The Two Magpies

“Unfortunately, we just slipped up on two key moments. A great finish from Connor (Ferguson). The most important thing is to try and get stability within the side and get back to keeping clean sheets”

Mark Bower was disappointed with the way the Lions lost 1-0 at home to Warrington Rylands in a tight game but knew his side had chances to win it too.

Interim boss Liam Ridehalgh feels the players put in a good shift but were undone by ‘two key moments’ as they exited the FA Trophy last weekend at Prescot Cables.

Team News

Leo Farrell will miss the next couple of weeks with a hamstring tear, Ridehalgh confirmed post-match. George Goodman stood in for Lebrun Mbeka last weekend and will be hoping to keep his place. Mbeka was absent for family reasons.

Jay Buchan completed a permanent move to Silsden during the week in search of regular first team football.

The Opposition

Founded in 1880, Hednesford Town have seen some heavy investment in the club since the arrival of Craig & Amanda Gwilt in March 2024.

The 23/24 season, the Pitmen were set for a double relegation, but a reprieve meant they were able to continue at non-league step 4. A run to the FA Cup 1st Round in 24/25 season came at the expense of their league form and Steve King was sacked in October of 2024. Gavin Hurren soon took over.

That change appeared to be a blessing in disguise as they were promoted via the play-offs last season. A 2nd placed finish meant victories over Vauxhall Motors and then Congleton Town secured a return to step 3. That 2-0 victory over Congleton in the play-off final gave the Pitmen their highest ever attendance of 4,701 since moving to their Keys Park home in 1995.

They started 25/26 very well, and despite a recent dip in form they find themselves in 6th going into Saturday’s game. An FA Cup exit to Billericay and FA Trophy exit to Harborough Town has been followed up by only one point from a possible nine in the league. Their last outing came in midweek and Stockton Town made the long trip to Staffordshire and took all three points, winning 2-1 after Hednesford took an early lead. This ensured they ended October winless.

Their current playing squad have a plethora of EFL and National League experience. 36-year-old Tony Breeden is their man between the sticks, although the club have also recently signed Xander Parke recently from Leek Town. Chris Hussey was as recently as 2023 playing for Walsall and Stockport County in League Two before a move to Staffordshire. The full back is also 36. Ryan Wynter plays as a central defender, and has spent his career in Staffordshire, most

recently at Halesowen Town. Midfielder Max Sheaf recently joined the club from Gateshead. The 25-year-old was sent off during their midweek defeat to Stockton Town but can still play on Saturday. Joss Labadie is now 35 and plays in the Pitmen midfield following spells in the EFL at the likes of Newport County and Walsall.

Montel Gibson, Dominic McHale, Jake Jervis and newest signing Jermaine Hylton completes what is an exciting forward line. Hylton has spent time in England, Scotland and Lithuania. He was playing for Kauno Zalgiris in Lithuania before returning to England earlier this month.

Previous Meetings

These sides have not met since February 2015, with the Pitmen winning 2-0 at Nethermoor in National League North.

The Lions have only won one of the last 10 meetings between the sides, stretching back to 2006. A 5-2 win in Staffordshire in March 2008 was their only maximum during this period.

Listen and Live

If you cannot make it to the game, live audio commentary can be found via the Mixlr app or on guiseleyradio.mixlr.com at approximately 2:50pm on Saturday.

Tickets

Tickets will be available to purchase from our turnstiles on Saturday priced at:

• Adults: £13
• Concessions (Over 66s/Students/Registered Disabled): £9
• 11-18 Year-Olds: £5
• Accompanied Under-11s: £1

Payment can be made via cash at all our turnstiles and card at turnstiles 1 & 2. ‘The Lions’ magazine will be on sale for £3 from sellers near each turnstile and our Club Shop.

It is cash payments only inside the ground for magazines and 50/50 cash draw tickets. Food and drink from The Lions’ Diner can be paid for by cash or card and the clubhouse accepts and prefers payment by card.