Kelvin Davis urges calm heads as Hednesford Town chase title glory

Kelvin Davis has urged his Hednesford Town side not to overcomplicate things ahead of a title-deciding afternoon.

Thousands are set to back Hednesford at Keys Park against Ashton United tomorrow as they look to continue their imperious form and win the Northern Premier League title.

Football is often a game of fine margins - and that is certainly the case at the top of the standings. The Pitmen sit second, having won four in a row, level on 76 points with leaders Hebburn Town and separated only by goal difference.

Hednesford boast the tightest defence in the division, conceding just 32 goals all season. That resilience has been evident during their current winning run, with just one goal conceded compared to the 10 they have scored.

Pitmen boss Davis is no stranger to securing promotion, having achieved it twice with Southampton, and he has issued a call for focus.

“The mentality needs to be really focused, not to rush things or more than you need to do,” he said.

“In these occasions, I've been in them a couple of times during my career and you tend to find that players will try to do more. Sometimes more at the wrong time isn't helpful.

“When those opportunities come, don't rush it, take the time you need.

“There's going to be over 4,000 fans, they're coming to celebrate and enjoy the day, and if we just stick to our behaviours of how we've been over the last few weeks, we won't disappoint anyone.

“You can't decide to win a game by how many goals. The game will decide. We need to turn up and stick to what we've been doing really well at home.”

While the Pitmen will be focused on overcoming Ashton, they require a favour from local rivals Rushall Olympic, who face a near 400-mile round trip to take on the league leaders in South Tyneside.

Ian Long’s side have their own reasons to celebrate, having secured safety last weekend.

In the Southern Central Premier, Halesowen Town host AFC Sudbury knowing they must win to stand any chance of reaching the play-offs.

The Yeltz sit two points behind Kettering Town, who occupy the final play-off spot and held Halesowen to a goalless draw last weekend.

Needham Market sit fourth on 70 points, while Halesowen currently have a superior goal difference and could leapfrog them. Redditch United are level on points with the Yeltz but trail significantly on goal difference.

Rivals Stourbridge welcome Royston Town for their campaign’s conclusion, while in the National League North, Kidderminster Harriers - who have already secured a play-off place - host second-placed South Shields.

In Northern One West, Sporting Khalsa travel to Witton Albion looking to avoid relegation. Khalsa sit one place above the drop zone, two points clear of Congleton Town after winning their last three matches, all with clean sheets.

Congleton entertain already-relegated Trafford, while Khalsa face a Witton side who have won three of their last five. If Congleton win, a draw would not be enough for Khalsa due to their inferior goal difference.

Elsewhere, relegated Darlaston Town visit Avro, while Stafford Rangers travel to Vauxhall Motors, and Chasetown head to Stalybridge Celtic. In Northern One Midlands, Lichfield City travel to Shepshed Dynamo.