In the summer we had the results of the FA re-organisation of Non-League football, which consigned Hednesford fixtures to cup ties and friendlies. Then Shaw Lane decide to pull out of senior football, so instead of travelling to somewhere in Yorkshire, we now make the short hop across Cannock Chase to meet our old rivals yet again. This fixture needs no introduction, as it is the ones the fans look forward to. Last season Hednesford did the double over us so they hold the bragging rights, but former Stafford Rangers and Hednesford striker Steve Burr knows only too well the feeling in this fixture as we attempt to get the bragging rights back.

We all know how the fledgling league table has yet to settle down following our win on Saturday which saw the league table before the game pitching us without a win and second from bottom playing unbeaten Stalybridge lying second. How the tables were turned, and the same could happen on Tuesday night as fourth placed Hednesford with 9 points entertain ourselves, who with a win could be just 1 point behind them. Hednesford’s 2 defeats have come at home to Scarborough and Gainsborough, both who are expected to be near the top come the end of April, so for us to take all three points may put us in that bracket. One thing is certain, and that is if a goal or few are scored then any could be a contender for goal of the season. We have witnessed great strikes so far from Louis Briscoe and Joe Cuff, and a what if from Kyle Perry’s overhead kick, but Hednesford also have a goal in that category having seen on the NPL website the film of Hednesford player Jed Davies taking aim from 35 yards and seeing the ball fly over the Farsley Celtic goalkeeper. As is usual in such local derbies quite a few players taking part will have appeared for both sides, so it will be nice to see Josh Craddock and Sam Griffiths again. There should be a good attendance for the fixture and we hope for another win, but whenever you mention a Hednesford v Rangers fixture my mind goes back a few years when a Simpkin free kick found the back of the net in the dying seconds. I hope we do not leave it too late on Tuesday. Click here to check out the facilities at Keys Park