Match Preview

Following the postponement of last weekends scheduled game at Stourport Swifts, both clubs move to the Paycare Stadium for another attempt to meet for the first time this season, but this fixture will be subject to a morning pitch inspection after the wet weather once again this week.

Tomorrow will hopefully be Darlaston’s first fixture of a manic season defining 7 games in 14 days, in which they will play five games against teams in the top 8 of the league and therefore to a certain extent have an element of control in their own destiny. The remaining fixtures this season has thrown up many head-to-head games against teams vying for a top five finish there are bound to be many twists and turns until the last ball is kicked in the 2023/24 league season.

Neither Stourport or Darlaston played in midweek, but other results have now made tomorrows fixture even more important. But given recent form even though Darlaston will be at home they will go into tomorrow’s fixture as underdogs.

High scoring Stourport have played five out of their last six games at home winning four losing two, scoring 16 goals but have conceded 10. The four wins came against play-off chasing Studley, 3-2, a trip to Highgate saw 4-3 loss, followed by a home 1-0 defeat to Atherstone Town.

A further three consecutive home games produced a 3-0 defeat of Wolverhampton Casuals, 3-2 win over Whitchurch Alport and on Wednesday evening another win 3-1 over Shifnal Town, so Stourport go into tomorrow’s fixture in fine form.

Stourport’s top scorer is Ben Tilbury with 16 followed by Goodluck Eke who is on 10. Next up are four players on 5 each Aaron Birch, Jamie Meadows, Jack Watts and Adam Hanson.

Darlaston have not played for two weeks, this has been an important recovery time for those players who have been carrying injuries and knocks. The squad has trained hard and well during their mini break, so tomorrow Manager Dean Gill should have a fully fit squad to select from excluding long term injury victim Reece Mason who is recovering well from recent knee surgery.

Saturday’s big game kicks off at 3pm
The gate & bar will open at 1pm, the bar will of course be serving its usual pre-match hot and cold food, and will remain open all afternoon.

Admission
Adults £7, Concessions £5, children under 10 free.
Dog’s are welcome as long as they are kept on a lead and the owners clean up after them.
Programmes £2 available from the pay hut and a teamsheet will be available in the bar pre-match.

We hope to see as many Darlaston supporters as possible at the Paycare Stadium tomorrow afternoon in what is a very important game for both clubs.