Wayne Benn says attendances are up at Hemsworth Miners Welfare
Hemsworth Miners Welfare’s assault on promotion has brought the feel-good-factor to the South Yorkshire club, according to Wayne Benn.
Benn has masterminded Hemsworth’s rise to being Toolstation NCEL Division One promotion challengers with a superb young team.
Hemsworth have only lost twice in the league this season and local people are flocking to Fitzwilliam to watch his team.
Benn told Non League Yorkshire: “I think initially they will have been a little bit surprised (the rest of the league), but I would argue that they probably said that Hemsworth would probably fall away.
“Credit to the lads because they are right there and they’re showing no signs of falling away or slipping away.
“Whatever happens, for 22 games they have been magnificent. We’re 14 games unbeaten, all be it two or three draws.
“The guys checked it out that we lost nine games in the calendar year of 2014.
“For a team with an average age of 19-20, it is unbelievable. They are not kids who have dropped down to get experience, these are kids who have come through the system (at Hemsworth) from the under 19s.
“When we travel away, we travel in numbers. We put buses on for away games and the supporters are buying into it.
“Gates are up by something like 26% so the fact that the lads are in the mix is bringing people in.
“The whole club is buzzing and there is a real good feeling around the club.
“It is a fantastic little football club to be involved in.”
Harry Viggars scored in Hemsworth’s 2-1 win at Eccleshill in midweek
Hemsworth are currently unbeaten in 14 games following the 2-1 win at Eccleshill United on Wednesday night.
Nick Guest and Harry Viggars scored early on and they held on to add another three points to their tally.
Benn played down his side’s promotion hopes in November and this week, he said: “I would still play it down because there are 19 games to play and loads of points available.
“All I know is that we are in a pack of five or six that probably have realistic chances of promotion.
“We have proved that we are not a one-hit wonder and we have proved that we are not going to go away.
“I think if I can keep everyone together which will be difficult and add to the squad, I don’t see any reason why we can’t maintain our form and be in the mix.
“We’ll see with ten games to go how serious we are as contenders.
“It is going to be tough and difficult. There are others teams around us with finance who can add to the squad if and when they need to.
“We’re at a little disadvantage and I would say we are outsiders of the five or six for promotion.
“But, we have a lot of belief in that dressing room and I think we are fantastic when we play to our strengths.”
Hemsworth are due to travel to Teversal tomorrow.