Match Preview

Darlaston return to the Paycare Stadium once again tomorrow evening when Tividale, come for their annual Black Country Derby.

Tividale under the new stewardship of Stuart How with assistant Karl Gardner, both of whom were part of Dave King’s management team last season, are now starting to get to grips with management in The Midland Football League Premier Division. After a difficult start losing 4-1 to Rugby Borough in the FA Cup, coincidentally Darlaston’s opponents next Wednesday in The Birmingham Senior Cup First Round, and losing five out of the six first six league games this season, Tividale have turned a corner in recent weeks starting with a 3-0 win at Northwich Victoria with the goals coming from ex-Darlaston striker Dominic Dell, Ryan Snape and substitute Lewis Taylor-Boyce.

Following the win, Tividale held high flying Stourport Swifts at the Beeches in the first of three consecutive home games, Swifts scoring first, but a second half goal from Taylor Townsend gave Tivi a share of the points. Next up was the Isuzu FA Vase, Tividale secured a place in the First Round draw beating MFL Division One side Shawbury United 1-0.Ewan Edwards scoring the all important goal just after James Douglas received a straight red card.

Last Saturday Tividale welcomed high flying Uttoxeter Town for their final home game in their run of three, they beat the surprise package of this season so far 4-1, two goals from Ryan Snape, Taylor Townsend and Ewan Edwards were both once again on the score sheet.

Darlaston and Tividale played each other four times last season. Firstly on the opening day of the season, Tividale schooled the newly promoted Darlaston in the Emirates FA Cup, winning at a 4-0. The clubs also met in the MFL Moldwell Products League Cup, Tividale progressing through winning 4-3 on penalties at The Beeches after the scores were level at full time.

In the league however, the teams drew 0-0 last October but on the last game of last season Darlaston won convincingly 4-1 at The Paycare Stadium with goals from Mardenborough, Mason, Wilkinson and substitute Leon Smith in his final game for the Club.

Tividale always make life difficult for Darlaston and tomorrow night nothing different is expected, especially after Darlaston’s first loss of the season on Saturday at promotion chasing Highgate United and manager Dean Gill and his management team will have been rallying his squad in readiness for tomorrow nights fixture.

Tomorrow night will be Louis Baker’s final suspension game and he will be back available for selection for Saturday’s game, fortunately there were no more additional injury concerns or worries for tomorrow night’s fixture from Saturday’s game but there still remains doubts over long-term injury victim Reece Mason along with defenders Ben Priest and Josh Jones along with strikers Farid Mikidam and Keiran Miller, and Darlaston will also be without concussion victim Will O’Sullivan who was injured playing for Birmingham City,

Kick off 7.45 pm
Gates open at 6.15 pm
Admission - £7.00 Adults, £5.00 Concession, Children Under 10 FREE
Programme - £2.00 available on sale at the gate

The bar will open at 6.15 pm serving its usual hot and cold pre-match food.

it is hoped with tomorrow evenings game being a big Black Country local derby it is hoped that both sets of supporters will come to cheer their team on along with some neutrals interested in watch a good quality game