Match Preview

It’s the BIG ONE tomorrow, the big local derby Sporting Khalsa vs Darlaston Town in The Emirates FA Cup.

Despite being just 3 miles apart tomorrow will be the first competitive game between both clubs since just before Darlaston Town folded in when Sporting Khalsa won 3-2 in a West Midlands Regional League Premier League fixture. But in recent years both teams have met on several occasions in pre-season friendlies.

Sporting Khalsa since 2013 rightfully gained promotion into The Northern Premier League Midlands Division, following their league position and results in the two abandoned seasons during COVID, when the FA reorganised Steps 4,5 and 6 of the National League Structure in May 2021.

Last season after an 8th place finish, Sporting Khalsa qualified for the play offs finishing fourth, losing out to Spalding United, who they find themselves level with this season at the top of the Division after both clubs having won four out of their first five league games.

Khalsa’s league season opened with a great 1-0 away win at Rushton & Diamonds, followed by a 4-1 beating of Coleshill Town at their Guardian Warehousing Arena. The next two league fixtures saw a 1-0 win at Coventry Sphinx followed by a 2-0 win at home against Rugby Town. Their first and only loss was last Monday at Boldmere St. Michaels 1-0.

Sporting Khalsa entered the Emirates FA Cup in the Second Qualifying Stage beating Heanor Town at Noose Lane, Chay Tilt scoring a second half hat-inside 7 minutes, Gurjit Singh, Curvin Ellis-Sanderson, and Jonathan Letford completing the scoring. All of the goals game in the second half and in fact Heanor Town opened the scoring in the 65th minute.

Ian Rowe’s team so far this season have shared the goals around their forwards their danger men this season are Curvin Ellis-Sanderson on four, Chay Tilt with three, all scored in the last round of the FA Cup. Central half Tesfa Robinson and Jonathan Letford both with two.

Sporting Khalsa’s excellent start to the season playing a higher level than Darlaston will make them hot favourites for tomorrow’s game, but as we all know, these are one off games, and anything can happen, add in the pressure of live TV, all of these things can be great levellers.

Both club’s managers know each other so well, they have been good friends for many years with almost daily communication, an extra spice to the game.

Darlaston Town going into tomorrow’s game are unbeaten so far this season in all competitions having won three (two in the Cup) and drawn three league games so far this season. After losing key players on the start of pre-season to higher league clubs, Darlaston’s manager Dean Gill has recruited exceptionally well, and his squad will be very much looking forward to tomorrow’s fixture as yet another opportunity to prove how good they are as players but also as a team.

Darlaston management appear to have only one long-term injury worry left back Reece Mason outstanding from tomorrow’s squad, but skipper Alexander Forshaw is suspended for tomorrow’s fixture after receiving a red card last Saturday against Atherstone Town. so Darlaston’s manager will have a full squad to select from subject to any injury scares and knocks from Monday’s fixture.

The game promises to be a real good spectacle and a great advert for local non-league football, so please record the game, come, and watch it in person .

Admission is £7.00 Adults, £5.00 Concessions and £2.00 for Under 18’s.

The gates will open at 11.00 a.m.

Sporting Khalsa’s catering facilities are excellent on site and no doubt they will be serving food and drinks prior to the game.

If you are unable to travel to the fixture tomorrow, it is available on BBC One on the red button, or alternatively SKY Channel 971 and Virgin Media Channel 991 both will be screened in HD and available to record.

We hope to see as many spectators as possible of both clubs tomorrow.