Manager Parkes said this morning, “After two weeks without playing the lads are desperate to play. We have been lucky enough to arrange this friendly against higher league opposition and we are extremely thankful that Smethwick have been able to accommodate us at their ground. Even though the lads have tried immensely hard and well, there is no substitute for playing. We are about to enter a crucial part of the season and we must ensure the players are prepared in the best way possible”.

Parkes went onto say, “In some ways the rest has done us good, everyone is now fit, and the little knocks and niggles have disappeared, so I have a fully fit squad to select from”.

Next Saturday’s game will start a run of four games that will defiantly decide Darlaston’s destiny this season. After the Smethwick game, Darlaston play two home games and one away, before a week off for Easter and the following week travel to Telford Juniors for what is as it stands their last game of the season.

The first of the massive games is at the Paycare Ground against Lee Mill’s Team Dudley, sandwiched between the two home fixtures is a trip into rural Shropshire to play Allscott AFC on 6th April. The last of the three games is on 13th April, when current League leaders Worcester Raiders come to the Paycare Ground for what could be a title deciding game.

Worcester Raider yesterday drew with Sikh Hunters 2-2 at their Claines Road ground. On Tuesday evening they play their last game in hand traveling to play Bustleholme at their York Road ground, a win could put Worcester 5 points ahead of Parkes squad.

In addition to these fixtures the club awaits the League to rearrange yesterdays fixture against Newport Town, this is likely to be a midweek game, looking at both clubs’ fixtures sooner rather than later possibly as earlier as next week, or the week after. Obviously as soon as we know the date, we will let you know.