Hednesford boss is scouting visitors

Hednesford manager Rob Smith has been on a scouting mission this week as he looks to bring home comforts back to Keys Park.

Smith's men face one of the longest trips on the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League calendar, a 340-mile round trip to Whitby, on Saturday.

But it's the next two home games that Smith has been preparing for, infellow play-off chasers Northwich Victoria and FC United of Manchester.

The Pitmen boss first watched the Vics - visitors a week on Saturday - draw 1-1 across the West Midlands at Stafford Rangers last night.

Now the manager is headed to Matlock tonight to watch their game with FC United, who come to Keys Park on March 17.

Meanwhile, Hednesford played a friendly at Sutton Coldfield Town last night, with the team taken by assistant boss Larry Chambers.

A strike from Ben Jevons and a penalty from Chris Clements secured a 2-2 draw, but Kyle Haynes could now be a doubt for Saturday after limping off.

They will now focus on the trip to Whitby and then to target their first home win of 2012, after three games as hosts in league and cup.

Last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Frickley counts as two points dropped, after Jevons' goal was cancelled out by Danny South's 90th minute equaliser.

Smith said: "Frickley has proven to be a very difficult place to go and I thought we matched them, which was pleasing.

"But we should have held on and got the three points. As for the long trip to Whitby, we will need to give ourselves enough time to have a stop on route.

"More importantly, we need arrive up there in plenty of time to have a good warm up."