Match Preview

Scott Bamford makes his debut this Saturday as caretaker manager as Darlaston welcome league leaders HEREFORD LADS CLUB to the Paycare ground.

Darlaston have a 100% record against the visitors and have yet to concede a goal against the Herefordshire side.

The clubs first met on the opening day of the 2015/16 season and the game was decided in the final minute when Ryan McAllister found the back of the net much to the delight of the 30 or some Darlo fans who had made the long journey down south. The return fixture last April saw Darlo celebrate a league double in what was a very physical game.

Having finished third last season, Hereford have been top of division one for most of the season and last Saturday beat Team Dudley 4 - 3 at Priory road.

Saturday's game kicks off at 2.00pm and admission is £3 Adults & £2 Concessions. Kids Under 11 are admitted free of charge.

FLASHBACK....................our last league encounter.
Saturday 23rd April 2016 Darlaston 1 Hereford Lads Club 0 by Neil Chambers

Darlaston extended their unbeaten run to 7 games with a thrilling win against promotion hopefuls Hereford Lads Club. This was their 3rd game in 7 days and they had to work tremendously hard to secure the points against a strong, physical and talented Hereford side on a streak of 5 consecutive league victories and still harbouring ambitions to win the Division One title. Darlaston created two early chances to break the deadlock, the first came on 15 minutes when a Mark Swann header rebounded off the crossbar, with team mate Lucas Hough suffering the same fate six minutes late following a superb 22 yard free kick which left visiting keeper Steve Bell stranded. The visitors were dangerous with skipper Dan Moon and Steve Dixon creating long distance shooting opportunities without troubling home keeper Sam Arnold. Stand in left back Jay Handley was impressive making several forays into the visitors half whilst right back Sam Giles sent in two excellent right wing crosses which were cleared by Dan Herbert and Dean Corbett. Up front Sam Melia and Hayden Hughes worked well together but found the Hereford defence a hard nut to crack. In the 42nd minute visiting keeper Steven Bell clashed with Hughes, leaving the striker requiring treatment and Bell receiving a stern warning from the match referee Debbie Rhooms. On the stroke of half time Hereford defender Corbert received his marching orders after lashing out at Sam Melia in an off the ball incident with the youngster requiring physio treatment. Hereford Skipper Dan Moon was cautioned for his vigorous protest. The resulting free kick was driven high over the bar by Sam Giles. Sam Melia who was in great form, was presented with a great opportunity to break the deadlock four minutes in the second half, but his close range shot produced a quick response from Bell saving low to his left at the foot of the post. Despite being a man short Hereford were still competitive and Moon and Dixon were in good form breaking up Darlaston attacks and with probing passes they kept the home defenders Ashley Justin and Mark Swann on their toes. As the game progressed it was clear that a single goal was likely to win the game and the breakthrough came in the 57th minute when a four man move saw Lucas Hough supply a superb through ball to Hughes who outpaced his marker and slid his 15 yard shot beyond advancing keeper Bell. The goal was a milestone for Hughes and Darlaston as the youngster broke the club record scoring in his 7th consecutive game. Tensions rose as the game entered the final half hour with Sam Melia and Lucas Hough cautioned for late tackles whilst Hereford picked up four further cautions.  A superb last ditch tackle by Justin denied Arron Turner a possible equaliser whilst the home side nearly doubled their lead, a Sam Giles free kick going inches over the bar. Attendance 68

DARLASTON: Arnold, Stanton, Handley, Swann, Justin, Hough (Y), Watkins (Fowell), Hesson (Hill), Hughes (Follows), Melia (Y), Giles.
HEREFORD LC: Bell (Y), Bowley (Y), Maturi, Dawson (Y), Cuthbert son (Y), Corbett ®, Turner (Jones), Moon (Y), Herbert, Dion, Andrews.

Dismissed Corbett (44 Minutes)