Match Preview

Darlaston Town tomorrow afternoon face a repeat of last season’s opening league fixture in the Midland Football League season when they travel to Oldfields Sports Ground to play Uttoxeter Town.

Uttoxeter Town are under new management this season because at the end of last season Matt Curley and his management team stepped down to be replaced by Phil Adams who stepped up to manage the first team after managing the reserves last season, accompanying him will be coach Andy Neeld. Adams has recruited the returning Mark Grimley as his Assistant.

Uttoxeter were relegated after finishing last season in 19th place, just below Wolverhampton Casuals, the FA moved Uttoxeter sideways initially into the North West Counties Southern Division One when the league allocations were published in mid-May.

But following an unsuccessful appeal by Winsford United following their lateral move by the FA from the North West Counties Southern Premier Division into the Midland Football League along with Congleton Town and Norwich Victoria, Winsford United elected to take voluntary relegation to Step 6, allowing Uttoxeter Town to earn a reprieve from relegation and they could now look forward to another season in the Midland Football League Premier Division.

Uttoxeter’s pre-season campaign started early in July, they played seven pre-season friendlies winning four and losing three against clubs such as Gresley Rovers, Leek Town, Rocester.

Uttoxeter drew the plum tie of the First Qualifying Round of this seasons Emirates FA Cup a home game against Bury, but following consultation between the two clubs, the game was switched to Gigg Lane to home of Bury, which proved to be a good decision as 2,903 watched Uttoxeter take the lead after 10 minutes, unfortunately Uttoxeter lost 4-1 and exited the competition, but what an experience for the players, supporters and anyone connected with the club.

Darlaston, meanwhile started in season at the Paycare Stadium in the Emirates FA Cup with a 3-1 win over Racing Club Warwick to progress in the Qualifying Round earning another home tie against Northern Premier - West Division side, Hednesford Town.

It has been a quiet week at the Paycare, manager Dean, Gill and his management team have put the squad through their paces with two training sessions. We understand that Reece Mason will be missing from tomorrow’s game, following his knee injury against Chasetown, whereas the reminder of the squad are fully fit and looking forward to starting a new league campaign tomorrow.

Kick-off is at 3 pm
Admission: Adults £6 Concessions £3

The address of tomorrow’s game is.
Uttoxeter Town FC
Oldfields, Sports Ground
Springfield Road,
Uttoxeter,
ST 14 7JX.

We hope to see as many Darlaston supporters as possible, looking hoping looking to support Dean Gill on the squad in their quest to progress on last season’s fourth-place finish.