The Darlaston players face a weekend off, giving the players a 10-day period to recuperate -and rest injuries and knocks that have been picked over recent weeks.

The squad has played every week bar one (Telford Juniors couldn't raise a team) since the beginning of the season, sometimes twice. Twenty-six games have been played in all competitions, the League and three cups. Manager Parkes and his squad have just lost 7 games, three in the cups and four in the league, scoring a total of 55 goals and conceding 35.

The cup competitions have not been good this season, disappointingly going out in the first round in both the Birmingham County FA Vase and West Midlands (Regional) League Cup to AFC Solihull and Tipton Town respectfully, I know both the management and players would have wanted to progress further in both cups, but it wasn’t to be.

The only cup success was the J.W. Hunt Cup, and although Darlaston were beaten on Wednesday Evening by Total Motion Midland League Division promotion hopefuls Atherstone Town, the players certainly did not let themselves down putting in an outstanding battling performance.

Worcester Raiders and Droitwich Spa both have games tomorrow, Worcester travel to last seasons runners up Newport Town, whilst Droitwich entertain Wellington Amateurs. If both teams win, the gap between Darlaston and second placed Worcester will be reduced to two points with Worcester still having three games in hand.

We are due to play Worcester at their Claines Road ground at the end of February.
The full fixture list of West Midlands (Regional) League Division One tomorrow is as follows

Telford Juniors vs Tipton Town Kick off 2 pm
Wyrley vs Bromyard Town Kick off 2 pm
Droitwich Spa vs Wellington Amateurs Kick off 3 pm
Gornal Athletic vs Allscott AFC Kick off 3 pm
Newport Town vs Worcester Raiders Kick off 3 pm
Team Dudley vs Bustleholme Kick off 3 pm
Willenhall Town vs Sikh Hunters Kick off 3 pm
Wrens Nest vs Old Wulfrunians Kick off 3 pm

Darlaston’s next game is next Saturday 19th January at The Paycare Ground against last seasons league runners-up Newport Town. Kick off 2 pm.