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Preview of Telford Juniors visit to The Paycare Ground for tomorrows match

Preview of Telford Juniors visit to The Paycare Ground for tomorrows match

Simon Cox15 Feb 2019 - 16:53
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Darlaston look forward to tomorrows game after a good weeks training

Tomorrow Darlaston Town 1874 welcome Shropshire based Telford Juniors, to The Paycare Ground leaving only three remaining home games remaining in the season.

Telford Juniors are playing within Division One for their second season after winning the West Midlands (Regional) League Division Two title at the end of the 2016/17 season and being promoted as champions.

Last season, Telford’s first ever in this level of football saw them finish in fifteenth place, winning 7 of their 32 games, losing 22 and drawing 3. This season at the end of September and beginning of October they appear to have suffered some difficulties which resulted in our away game being postponed against them until the last game of the season. Darlaston travelled to their Oakengates ground last season for the first of the two League games, Darlaston won 3-1, all three goals were scored by players no longer with the club. Sam Giles, Hayden Hughes and Martin "Zuki" Stanton.

In the return fixture at the Paycare Ground Darlaston put five past Telford. Tyrone Clarke-O'Connell, two Leon Taylor goals along with two penalties each converted by different players, Lucas Hough in the first half and in second half injury time Scott Broadway to give the home side a good win on a dreadfully wet day in January.

At present they are just above Willenhall in sixteenth place in the table having played 23 games, won 3, drawn 3 and lost 17 with a goal difference of -65. Their last 6 games have seen four losses and a draw against Newport Town two weeks ago. Telford Juniors have scored three goals and conceded 24, 14 against Worcester Raiders and Droitwich Spa (7 in each game)

The season started brightly for Telford Juniors having retained the majority of their squad from last season and seemed to have recruited well. They managed to retain the likes of Ross and Dale Jones as well as Luke Dent. August produced two wins, a draw and a loss. First game of the season was a 2-1 loss at Team Dudley on their Priory Road 3G pitch, followed by a 3-1 home win against Willenhall Town and a creditable 3-3 draw against Wrens Nest, Over the Bank Holiday weekend a 4-2 away win at Old Wulfrunians signalled that Telford Juniors might just be s force this season.

It was during the end of September and beginning of October that things seemed to go wrong for Juniors. September started with a 4-2 loss against fellow Shropshire side Allscott followed by an extremely good 2-2 draw at Tipton Town and a 2-1 win at Gornal Athletic. Their last game in September was a 7-3 away defeat at York Road, the home of Bustleholme in an important clash that involved two of the bottom three sides at the time.

Telford were given a two week break by the League Management Committee to get matters in order. They returned to action in the middle of October losing 3-1 at home against Old Wulfrunians, a 14-0 thumping by Sikh Hunters at Long Lane followed by another 5-1 home loss against Team Dudley.

A full fixture list in November saw Telford loose every competitive game. 4-1 against Willenhall Town, 2-1 against Willenhall in the League Cup just a week after the League game, 3-0 at home to Wyrley and 8-1 away loss to Wrens Nest at the Beeches

December started with a creditable 3-2 loss against second place Worcester Raiders at their Oakham Gate Ground with the remainder of December resulting in another three losses. 1-0 Wellington Amateurs, 7-0 against promotion chasing Droitwich Spa and 1-0 against Wyrley.

The New Year also has seen Telford leak goals and they remained pointless until a 1-1 drawer at Oakham Gate against fellow neighbours Newport Town in a local derby.

January started poorly with a 7-1 loss after a trip to Worcester Raiders, followed by a 3-1 home loss to Tipton Town, a 5-0 home loss to Allscott and last week a 7-0 home loss to Droitwich Spa who have now pushed 14 goals past Telford without any response.

We can only assume that there have been some departures from Telford’s early season squad including last season’s top-scorer Ross Jones who now is registered at Wellington Amateurs. No squad can lose players of that quality and maybe a contributing to the teams 15 game losing run until the point against local rivals Newport Town. As we know at Darlaston EVERY team in this Division irrespective of form or position is more than capable of beating any other team, therefore Darlaston’s management duo of Parkes and Moore must ensure that their fully fit squad are prepared in the best way possible for the severe test they will face tomorrow.

Telford Juniors give no quarter physically and certainly not in their football, they play to win. Every team that plays against them has to earn the right to the points as they don’t ever turn the other cheek tomorrow will be no different.

Darlaston will be looking to extend their 12-game league unbeaten run, the squad have trained well and will certainly be focused as we get closer to the seasons goal.

Please come and support the lad’s tomorrow afternoon, the weather looks set fair. Food, acholic and soft drinks together with tea and coffee will be available from 12 noon in the Pavilion where once again “The best cobs in the country” will be on sale.

Kick off is 2 pm, and we really do hope to see your friends and family tomorrow.

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