Tomorrow, we look forward to welcoming our great friends from Atherstone Town the Paycare Stadium when Dean Gill’s squad take a break from F.A. Cup action returning to play their third league game of the season.

Atherstone also progressed into the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup last weekend by beating Gresley Rovers 2-0, earning themselves a plumb away tie at Stafford Rangers.

Last season Atherstone also had a successful run in the Isuzu FA Vase reaching the quarter-final stage before being knocked out on penalties by Newport Pagnell who went on to win the competition for the second year running on non-leagues final day at Wembley Stadium.

It has been all change at Atherstone since the end of last season, the successful joint management team of Ross Innes and Adam Davis resigned from the club at the end of last season due to work commitments. Atherstone’s board moved quickly, appointing skipper Jamie Hood as Manager, he has surrounded himself with a trusty management team appointing Sam Belcher as Assistant Manager, assisted by coaches Adam Cooper, Sammi Turner and current goalkeeper Carl O’Neill, all as coaches.

As you would expect with the appointment of a new management team there has been a big turn-around in playing staff, over 50% have left the club some retiring and the majority including our own Louis Baker moving on to pastures new.

Atherstone’s season has had a somewhat disjointed start like our own, after beating Stone Old Alleyians on opening day in the FA Cup with goals from Lewis Noone, Jess Adcock and assistant manager Sam Belcher, they travelled to Tividale in the opening league game of the season drawing 0-0. Then a mid-week game against Highgate United was abandoned at half time due to an unfortunate incident and last Saturday they beat Atherstone beat Greasley Rovers 2-1 in The Emirates F.A. Cup.

Darlaston meanwhile, buoyed with a great win last weekend, still have players out injured, especially Reiss Mason and Aaron Bishop who was only 50% fit last weekend. The team has trained twice this week and will be looking forward to tomorrow’s game, the first of two over the Bank Holiday weekend. Darlaston vs Atherstone Town are always nip-and-tuck affairs with the odd goal always deciding games.

A big crowd is expected at The Paycare Stadium once again and we look forward to seeing as many Darlaston supporters as possible in an effort to try and drown out Atherstone’s large travelling contingent.

Kick-off is 3.00 p.m. as usual.

Entrance – Adults £7.00, Concessions £5.00, Children under 10 FREE

Printed programmes available at the gate – £2.00 on entry
Bar and gates will open at 1.00 p.m.

The bar will of course be serving its usual pre-match hot and cold food and the bar will remain open during the game.

We hope to see as many Darlaston supporters as possible.