Rob Smith cranks up the play-off heat on Altrincham
Hednesford Town boss Rob Smith says his players have a "pressure-free shot" at their play-off semi-final with Altrincham – because all the pressure is on tonight's Keys Park opponents.
The sides meet in the first leg of their Skrill North semi-final tonight with Smith and assistant Larry Chambers insisting the Pitmen face no pressure.
They are targeting a second promotion in as many seasons and, despite his side leading the table in the early months of the season, Smith insists they have already exceeded expectations this term.
Smith said: "Without doubt everyone outside and inside Altrincham would have been expecting to reach the play-offs as a minimum this season and they have not let anyone down.
"As a club they will desperately want promotion.
"On the other hand, we would quite happily have accepted mid-table this season, all of which means the players have a pressure-free shot at the play-offs which can be dangerous for any opposition as we have absolutely nothing to lose."
Chambers added: "We really didn't know what would happen at the start of the season, but when you get to Christmas and you've seen all the teams you reassess your targets and our target was always to make the play-offs.
"So we have already achieved our target, which means there is no pressure on the players apart from the pressure we put on ourselves to play well."
After winning the Northern Premier League just a year ago, Smith has acknowledged promotion to the Skrill Premier could come too soon for the Pitmen.
But Chambers insisted players and coaches will be desperate to win the play-offs.
He said: "I understand the argument that the club might not quite be ready, but in football sometimes opportunities present themselves and you have to take them, because there is no guarantee in 12 months or two years, when the club maybe is ready, that the opportunity will be there again."
Smith has no fresh injuries after resting a host of key players for the 1-0 defeat at Barrow on the final day of the league season, but he will again be without midfielders Jamey Osborne and Nathan Woolfe through injury.
Admission tonight will cost £12 for adults and £7 for concessions and home supporters are asked enter the ground via turnstiles 3A, 3B, 4A, 4B and 4C.
Pitmen fans will have the use of the Chase Room facilities.
