Kelvin Davis urges Hednesford Town to "continue momentum" in NPL play-off final

Kelvin Davis has urged Hednesford Town to “continue their momentum” when they host Warrington Rylands in the Northern Premier League play-off final on Bank Holiday Monday.

Hednesford - who finished second-place during the regular season - booked their place in the final with a 2-0 victory over Stockton Town at Keys Park on Tuesday evening.

Montel Gibson and Ollie Harrison scored the goals in front of 3,535 fans to fire them past 10-man Stockton.

The Pitmen are also unbeaten in six games heading into this crunch clash - winning five in the process - and Davis has called on his side to seize the moment.

‘We need to continue that momentum’ - Davis

“We’ve put ourselves in this position on the back of a late of hard work,” the Hednesford boss said.

“Work that was done before we arrived, but particularly in the last couple of months, I think there’s been a real focus and togetherness in the group.

“That’s something we need to continue in terms of that momentum, positive behaviour and feeling that’s been created.

“We need to put in a performance alongside that in a winner takes all game.”

Chasing back-to-back promotions

Hednesford will be chasing back-to-back promotions, after previously beating Congleton Town to win the Northern Premier League West play-offs under ex-boss Gavin Hurren last season.

Another promotion would see the Pitmen reach Step 2 of the non-league pyramid for the first time since 2015/16, as they look to take another huge stride forwards in their rapid rise since Craig and Amanda Gwilt completed their takeover in March 2024.

Davis feels that past experience can benefit them, especially in front of a rampant home crowd, which is expected at Keys Park under the lights.

“I’d like to think so. Obviously it’s a higher level and the opposition are of a higher standard,” he continued.

“But the nights here at home building up to Monday will help the group.

“Playing in front of the fans and the atmosphere that’s created is something we’re used to.

“You’d like to think that can give you a bit of an advantage but we respect our opponents and we can’t underestimate them.”

‘We will not underestimate our opponents’

Warrington finished 10 points behind Hednesford in fourth and booked their place in the final by coming from behind twice in a 3-2 victory at FC United of Manchester.

Davis praised the resilience that Warrington showed to reach this stage and insisted that he team cannot afford to underestimate the opposition.

“We’ve watched a little bit of their stuff. They’ve done well to win away from home at FC United of Manchester,” he added.

“So we know that they’ve shown a lot of resilience along the way.

“They’ve been in the top six positions most of the season, if not all of it, so we know it’s a tough test.”