Match Preview

The Paycare Stadium tomorrow will see the start of the 2023/24 season, when Darlaston welcome Racing Club Warwick for the First Qualifying Round of this seasons Emirates FA Cup.

It has been over 3 months since last season ended on 22nd April, during that time much has changed not only at our club but at every non-league club in the country. Grounds, players, management, committee, volunteers, every club will have all changed in some way, some bigger than others.

At Darlaston we are no different we go into tomorrow’s fixture the first competitive game as Darlaston Town Also we lost two players at the beginning of pre-season training, Dean Gill and his management team have been studious in their recruitment of new players, when it would have been easier to sign lots of players, just nine have arrived, six of which are 21 years old or younger. Yes, the lions share of last years squad that finished in 4th place in the league are still at the club and it is hoped that the new season brings success in one form or another, especially as the FA have now adopted the same promotion play-off system as Darlaston used to achieve promotion from Step 6 to Step 5 two seasons ago.

Today’s opponents, Racing Club Warwick came to The Paycare Stadium on August Bank Holiday Monday last year, the game was drawn 1-1, Dominic Dell scored for Darlaston right on half-time. Racing Club Warwick equalised in the 86th minute via the penalty spot after conceding a soft penalty following Forshaw’s tackle on forward Josh Parsons. Darlaston travelled to Warwick for the return fixture on Bonfire Night, 5th November 2022 and were well beaten 3-0 with arguably one of their worst performances of the season.

Racing Club Warwick this season have been moved laterally by the FA into The Uhlsport United Counties Premier Division South. In speaking to the club earlier this week they were acutely aware they could have been placed in one of three leagues, The Midland Football League, Hellenic League and obviously Uhlsport United Counties Premier Division South, which is where they started their new league season last Saturday at home against Desborough Town., It ended all square at Racing Club’s ground, Callum Ebbutt continued his scoring from last season and new signing Luke Shearer who has previously played against Darlaston for Bilston and played for Romulus, scoring in the 78th minute.

On Tuesday evening Racing Club Warwick travelled to Northampton to take on Bugbrook St. Michaels winning 2-0, Shearer once again scoring, this time from the penalty spot in the second half and Matt Reid who had come on as substitute earlier scored two minutes into injury time to give Racing Club Warwick their first league win of the season in their new league.

The winners of tomorrow’s tie have already been drawn to face Hednesford Town at home in the second qualifying round, to be played two weeks’ tomorrow on 19th August.

We hope that everyone will come and support the club tomorrow.

Entrance – Adults £7.00, Concessions £5.00, Children Under 10 – FREE
Season Tickets DO NOT apply for tomorrow’s match.

The gates will open as usual at 1.00 p.m. and the bar at the same time serving its usual pre-match food and fayre and will remain open during the course of the game.

We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow.