Pitmen pride at unbeaten home streak

Hednesford Town boss Rob Smith has stressed how proud he is of his team for going a year unbeaten in the league at Keys Park following Saturday's 3-1 victory against Whitby Town in the Evo Stik Northern Premier Division.

The last time The Pitmen lost a league match was on 16th November 2010 when they were defeated 3-2 by Stourbridge, since then Smith's squad have played 21 won 17 and drawn 4 at Keys Park.

The proud manager was keen to stress how hard his team have worked to keep the record intact, a fact underlined by their astonishing 6-5 comeback against Walsall in the Birmingham Senior Cup on Tuesday and their first win against Stafford Rangers for sixty years earlier this season.

'It is a massive credit to the lads to have gone that long without losing, it is a case of playing with no fear at home, and instead of being wary of the home crowd, its trying to get them on your side. Stafford Rangers and Walsall are prime examples, the games were effectively lost, but by showing a never say die attitude the crowd got behind us, and it drove us on to win in the dying moments.'

The feat is made all the more remarkable by the fact that the form Hednesford have shown has meant teams have began to defend markedly deeper and in more numbers when playing at Keys Park, thus making it more difficult for Smith's side to grind out a result.

'We have noticed many teams have come and changed their system to match us up and often go one up front. At the end of the day we have to take this as a compliment and be patient. If teams are changing the way they shape up because of us, we are doing something right!'

Hednesford won't have an opportunity to extend their unbeaten league run until the year mark passes against Chorley on November 19th but welcome Matlock Town in the FA Trophy Second Qualifying Round to Keys Park on Saturday for a game that Smith admits will prove a difficult test.

'I thought they are the best side to come to our place this season. We drew in the league but it was a great game and I expect much of the same. They play good football and are very organised. I don’t think there is much between the two teams and it will no doubt be a close encounter.'

Kick off is at 3pm at Keys Park, admission is £10 Adults £6 Concessions in the stand and £9 Adults, £5 Concessions in the terracing. The winner of the match will enter the draw for the Third Qualifying Round where teams from the Conference North and South enter the competition.