Match Preview

Tomorrow will see Darlaston Town play their Preliminary Emirates Cup tie, for the first time in 43 years when they welcome Northern Premier League West Division side Hednesford Town to The Paycare Stadium.

Hednesford Town have a rich history playing in the upper echelons of Non-League up until recent years along with a successful FA Cup history in the same time period having reached the fourth round in the late-1990’s

and for many Hednesford Town supporters, who were told in May due to ownership problems, that there was a severe likelihood that the team would not play this season.

Therefore, following their relegation last season, this season in effect provides the clubs large following with an opportunity that they didn’t think they were going to have. The clubs supporters were told in May that due to the sale of the club falling through Hednesford Town would not be playing football this season and would lose their Step 4 status and have to start at the bottom of the non-league ladder. But thanks to the significant efforts of Hayden Dando, Steve Graham and long-term club Secretary Terry McMahon who worked tirelessly at the end of May beginning of June to ensure the club were able to play this season, and Hayden Dando has stepped up to take over as Chairman.

The uncertainty around ownership left Manager Danny Glover in limbo and he was left with very few players from last season, having to recruit very quickly and has built a very good squad including last season’s ex-Darlaston top scorer from last season Revel Mardenborough and short term signing Jack Sang who played for Darlaston for three games last season before joining Hednesford.

The Pitmen’s manager Danny Glover hastily arranged a pre-season programme playing teams mostly from Step 5 including Stourport Swifts, Nuneaton Borough, AFC Wulfrunians and Congleton Town, allowing the manager and his management team to look at several trialists and possible signings.

Hednesford’s season started last Saturday with a 1-1 draw away at Trafford, skipper Sam Griffiths scoring from a Jack Kelly corner. On Wednesday evening The Pitman welcomed Newcastle Town to their Keys Park Stadium securing their first win of the season 1-0, thanks to a 75th minute goal from Max Dixon after Harry Bower produced a run down the left-hand side to the byline.

Hednesford’s proud FA tradition and history higher up the non-league ladder, together with the way that the season has started, will present a seriously difficult test for Dean Gill and his squad tomorrow at The Paycare Stadium, Darlaston will start as complete underdogs in tomorrow’s fixture.

Darlaston are undefeated in their opening three games of the season, a 3-1 win against Racing Club Warwick in the extra preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup and two draws in The Midland Football League, 1-1 last weekend at Uttoxeter Town followed by a pulsating 2-2 draw against Lichfield City on Wednesday evening. Both games ironically equalising goals were conceded exceptionally late in the game which is something which will cause concern to Darlaston’s management team, as quoted in the managers comments following Wednesday evening’s game.

Darlaston’s manager will be picking from a fit squad with the exception of Reece Mason our long-term knee injury victim and it could possibly be a further 2-3 weeks being Reece is available for selection.

We are looking forward to tomorrow’s game and expecting a large crowd at The Paycare Stadium.

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

Programmes will be on sale at the gate for £2.00 each.

Gates open at 1.00 p.m. The bar will of course be serving its usual pre-match hot and cold food before the fixture and will remain open during the game.

There will be a team sheet published in the bar prior to the game.

As always Darlaston’s ground regulations will be enforced tomorrow by the club Committee & Stewards. The regulations also include the use of flares and alcohol and food being brought into the ground and there is a likelihood that people will be searched on the gate.

We hope to see as many Darlaston supporters as possible and also welcome Hednesford supporters to The Paycare Stadium for a good afternoon’s entertainment.