Tomorrow sees Darlaston Town (1874) return to the Paycare Ground for the first time in five weeks, since beating Bustleholme 4-2 home win on 10th November 2018, for the visit Wellington Amateurs who we beat earlier on in the season in August 1-0 in an extremely tight game with a well-disciplined performance.

Wellington Amateurs have gone through a difficult period, relegated at the end of last season from the West Midlands (Regional) Premier League. In the summer they amalgamated with Oakengates Athletic who last Season won The Shropshire Premier League and Cup double along with The Shropshire County F.A. County Challenge Cup.

In September they suffered a massive blow tragically losing their hugely important and influential owner, Dave Gregory. Dave had been associated with the Club in many aspects since 1962 and “Mr Football” will be sadly missed by everyone, not only connected with the Club but also within the local community.

Following Wellington Amateurs relegation last season, life in Division One has not been easy. Welly Ams are currently 13th in the league having played 14 League games, winning 5, losing 8 and a single draw, producing a points haul of 16.

Life could not have started better for Wellington Amateurs in Division One, an opening day 5-1 win at the new home of Bustleholme, however, the next three games all ended in losses, 2-1 away at Worcester Raiders, 1-0 to us and a second away loss at Wyrley ended a miserable August.

The start to September on the pitch was the opposite to how August ended, two wins in the opening weeks of the month the first was a 5-3 win at home against bottom club Willenhall Town. Followed by a 6-3 home win against Racing Club Warwick in the First Round of the F.A. Vase which was probably was one of the highlights of their season so far.

Three further games towards the end of September in the League resulted in a 3-2 loss at Bromyard, a very creditable mid-week away 3-1 win at Wrens Nest followed by a 3-0 home thumping by Sikh Hunters.

All through October and the first week in November, Wellington Amateurs played four home games on the trot. Firstly losing 4-3 to League leaders Droitwich Spa in an extremely close game followed by an exit from the F.A Vase in the second round losing 2-1 to Leicester Nirvana.

Division One draw specialists Tipton Town visited The Fortis Stadium and did not disappoint with the game ending in a 1-1 draw and for the first week in November Wellington suffered yet another home loss in the return fixture with Wyrley, this time 4-2.

Two games against Sikh Hunters inside four days both played at Sikh Hunters Long Lane Stadium seeing Sikh Hunters run out 3-2 winners in the League and also 5-3 in a mid-week League Cup game.

Wellington Amateurs have won the last two League games played, 5-1 at The Cottage against Willenhall Town and 5-3 at home against Gornal Athletic which was on 24th November 2018.

Therefore, Wellington Amateurs come into tomorrow’s fixture after three weeks without a game after the postponement of the a home game against Bromyard on the 1st December. Wellington have recently recruited the impressive free-scoring Ross Jones from Telford Juniors. Jones is suspended for tomorrow’s fixture after being sent-off in his first game for the Club against Willenhall Town.

Tomorrow promises to be yet another strong test of Darlaston’s promotion credentials, although Wellington Amateurs do not score a great amount of goals, they certainly do not concede a great number either, as their goal difference is +3, which is exceptionally high given the other goal difference for the teams around them within the League.

Darlaston management duo of Parkes & Moore have a single injury worry in full-back Ryan McAllister who could possibly be available, depending upon a late fitness test if required and hopefully the coughs, colds and flu’s of last weekend have now disappeared from the members of the squad that were under the weather.

The management team will surely be looking for a response from the last weeks last gasp goal from top scorer Leon Taylor to earn a point at Tipton, to provide an improved performance and to continue the team’s unbeaten run to the end of the year.

Please come to the Paycare Ground tomorrow, not only to support Darlaston Town but also to give generously to the Royal British Legion who will be present at tomorrow’s game to raise funds for the deserving Poppy Appeal. This may sound strange because of Poppy Day being 11th November, however Darlaston as everyone knows suffered a break-in at the Club and all of the Poppy Appeal money was stolen. Tomorrow is an attempt to raise significantly more money that was previously going to be donated to present to The Royal British Legion Area Representative Geoff Johnson before tomorrow’s game. Any additional donations will obviously be made once the money has been collected.

Kick-off is 2.00 p.m. and of course the bar is open from 12 noon for the usual alcohol and food will be served prior to the game, so why not bring the family and come and have your lunch.

Hopefully we will see you tomorrow.