Hednesford Town FC are delighted to announce that we have 'adopted' a top quality Under 17 team who will be playing as Hednesford Town FC Youth in the Midland Junior Premier League for the forthcoming season, under the auspices of the clubs thriving Youth Development Scheme.

The team who have been playing as Sutton Coldfield Town FC for a number of seasons have been hugely successful, culminating in them winning the League and Cup double at Under 16 last season and having two players awarded scholarships, one at West Bromwich Albion FC and the other at Walsall FC.

The team currently have a number of the players also playing for the Birmingham County FA Under 18 representative side. The following article was recently posted on the teams own website (Click to open in a new window)

186 - D Berrington - £65

83 - A Hill - £15

13 -E Palmer - £10

After impressing over the last couple of games with the quality of his performances Bernie McNally last night signed up centre back Scott Fuller for this season.

Scott, who is based at RAF Cosford, was formerly a regular at Cirencester Town and will be an excellent addition to the Pitmen's defensive line up.

Ben Bailey whose maturity in the Pitmen back line was evident for all throughout last season is also signed up and will play a massive part in the campaign for the forthcoming season.

Pitmen Toil As Tamworth Prove Class

Hednesford Town battled to eventual defeat as Midland rivals Tamworth showed their class with an assured passing display at Keys Park.

Bernard McNally will be happy with the run out given to his players but for the majority of the game the Conference outfit looked a class above a Zamaretto League side still looking for match fitness.

The Pitmen were missing big players in the form of Mark Bellingham and Elliott Durrell and their lack of attacking threat meant it was a difficult ninety minutes for the midfield and defence.

Scott Fuller came closest for the home side as he flicked Ben Bailey’s header over the bar after ten minutes but it was the pace and skill of Richard Tait, Neil MacKenzie and Seb Lake-Gaskin which caused Hednesford problems all night.

It was Tait who scored the only goal of the game on forty minutes when Hednesford failed to clear and the right wing-back curled the ball confidently into the far corner.

Tamworth continued to dominate in the second half but Pitmen centre-half Fuller stood firm and was imperious at times as he and Bailey struggled to contain the Conference sides attacking threat.

A slim defeat and a game which tested the fitness and commitment of a squad in its formulative stages will no doubt give McNally food for thought as he prepares for the much anticipated second leg of the Chase Cup against fierce rivals Stafford Rangers at Keys Park on Saturday.   

Hednesford Town

Crane, Platt, Keenan (Gibson 59), Bailey, Dunkley (Osborne 70), Fuller, Clements, Denny, Proffitt (Roberts 73), Marshall (Watkins 53), Bridgwater,

Subs Not Used

Burgher

Tamworth

Markie, Tait, Marshall, Bradley, Rowe, Mitchell, Rodman, Perry, MacKenzie, Farrell, Thomas, Dudley, Wright, Wylde, Reid, Kasiama, Lake-Gaskin, Fairclough

Star Man – Scott Fuller

Advantage Stafford As Pitmen Impress But Lack Sharpness

Stafford Rangers drew first blood in the Chase Cup as Ben Mills finished off a sweeping move which started in their own area to score the only goal in a keenly conttested local derby.

Bernard McNally will be dissapointed that his side failed to register any challenge of note as the home side broke for the goal but there were plenty of other positives for the Hednesford boss.

Dave Bridgwater looked impressive in centre midfield and it was The Pitmen who played most of the quality football. Craig Marshall should have scored in either half as he fed on chances provided by the tenacious Mark Bellingham.

Mills should have scored with a free header for the hosts half an hour in but it was giant Stafford centre-back Craig McAughtrie who stood out with a series of imperious defensive headers. Elliott Durrell worringly limped off for The Pitmen on thirty-six minutes with a knee injury following an inoccuous challenge by Andre Francis.

The second half saw the intensity drop but both sides will feel they could have capitalised but for goalkeeping reflexes and sharper finishing.

Bellingham gave Stafford keeper Tom Harrison the opportinity to show off his acrobatic skills with a floating free kick which was destined for the top corner and Mills was denied his second goal with a superb low block by The Pitmen's Dan Crane.

Hednesford Town's preparations continue with another local derby on Tuesday night with Conference outfit Tamworth travelling to Keys Park and Bernard McNally will look forward to more encouraging signs for the season ahead.

Stafford Rangers

Harrison, Francis, Patrick, Goodhead, McAughtrie (C), Bennett, Reid, Davidson, Mills, Wellecomme, Moss (Love 64),

Subs Not Used

McGuire, Jones, Parker, Worthington,

Hednesford Town

Crane, Platt (C) (Osborne 65), Gibson (Fuller 55), Keenan, Denny, Durrell (Proffitt 36), Bridgwater (Roberts 86), Bellingham, Marshall (Watkins 71), Clements,

Attendance - 372

Words by Chris Brewerton
Images Simon Faulkner

The Zamaretto League fixtures for the forthcoming season have been published this morning and are available on the Zamaretto League website

The season commences with a home game for the Pitmen against Chippenham Town FC, the side that beat us 2-0 in the Play off Semi-final at the end of April.

The ZPL season will kick off on Saturday 14th August at Keys Park, with a 3.00pm kick off.