So to keep the squad fit and active a friendly has been arranged at the home of Smethwick Rangers who play at Dudley Sports, just outside Brierley Hill.

Smethwick have had a difficult season their standards in the Premier Division, they are currently just inside the bottom half of the table in 14th place, having played 33 games, winning ten, losing nineteen and drawing four. They have five games left in their season, the next two are at home, and the remaining three are away at Shawbury, Malvern and Dudley Town, who play at Sporting Khalsa's ground.

Darlaston Manager Parkes said last night "Everyone cannot wait to get back to playing a competitive game. The lads are all fit, we have no knocks, or injuries at all now, three weeks without a game has given the time a lot of the players needed to get over the niggles they have played with for sometime. The match against Smethwick will be perfect preparation for next weeks match against Team Dudley, I am sure that Smethwick will be thinking the same as they will be looking towards Black Country Rangers who they entertain next week."

Parkes added "The players can train as hard and as regularly as they can, but there is no substitute for playing games, it increases sharpness and stamina, and to be fair, we need to be at the top of our game from the very first minute next week , the next three League games will define our season and will almost decide our fate".

Please come and support Darlaston tomorrow afternoon, the match is kicking off at 3 pm, and is being played at Hillcrest Avenue, BRIERLEY HILL, DY5 3QH. Entrance will be £3.00