Match Preview

Tomorrow sees yet another big Cup local derby for Darlaston Town when they return to The Guardian Warehousing Arena for an Isuzu FA Vase game against Dudley Town.

The clubs met last month in The Midland Football League at the same venue, Darlaston leading 2-0 but two late penalties from Dudley Town forced a draw. Since winning promotion last season into the Premier Division after being crowned champions of the Midland Football League Division One, Dudley have played twelve league games this season, winning one, drawing two and losing nine accruing a goal difference of -18 and occupy 17th place with five points, one point more than Bewdley Town.

In cup matches Dudley lost 3-0 to Worcester City in the Extra Preliminary Round of the Emirates FA Cup on opening day. In The Birmingham Senior Cup they were beaten 5-1 at Racing Club Warwick and in the last round of the Isuzu FA Vase Dudley beat MFL Division One side Cotton Green 4-3 on penalties after drawing 3-3 at full-time.

In their last three league games Dudley have lost 6-2 at league leaders Congelton Town, were beaten 2-1 by Atherstone Town at The Guardian Warehousing Arena and last Saturday suffered a 5-0 reverse at Uttoxeter Town.

Harry Crook is the club’s top scorer with eight goals in twelve games, two of which were from the penalty spot against Darlaston. Oliver Waddison is the only other player to have scored two goals this season, but, the remainder of the goals have been shared across the squad with ten other players getting on the score sheet.

Dudley Town vs Darlaston Town has always been a closely fought fixture, very often a single goal has secured the win. As with local derby’s form, league or cup goes totally out of the window and league standings certainly mean nothing of a cup tie of this magnitude and it should provide a great spectacle for the supporters tomorrow, neutral or the supporters of either club.

Darlaston meanwhile have lost Tom Turton in mid-week after he announced his retirement from football with immediate effect and having had no game this mid-week, Darlaston’s squad should be well rested and looking forward to tomorrow’s fixture which will not be in any doubt due to the artificial surface at The Guardian Warehousing Arena.

It is a local game, and a big game is expected tomorrow especially with the likelihood of there being some postponements due to the weather over the past few days.

Kick-off is 3.00 p.m.
Admission – Adults £7.00, Concessions £5.00 (Over 65 or under 12)

Car parking is free on site but limited.

We hope to see as many Darlaston supporters as possible tomorrow afternoon and also if anyone has any 500 Club Application Forms, please pass them to a club committee member or Club Secretary Simon Cox.