Tomorrow Darlaston town welcome Division One champions Worcester Raiders to the Paycare Ground for their first meeting in the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division after their nip and tuck championship battle last season in Division One when Raiders pipped Darlaston to the title by a single point, fortunately both sides were promoted.

Worcester Raiders remained unbeaten for 28 League games, the run starting on August Bank Holiday Monday after losing 2-1 to Gornal Athletic two days before. To remain unbeaten in the League for such a long time is a massive achievement for Manager Karl Gormley and his management team along with his playing squad and they deserve every single bit of praise they received for their achievement.

In last season’s game between the two clubs, they could not be separated, a 1-1 draw at Worcester was followed by an enthralling 3-3 draw at the Paycare Ground, Sam Carey’s injury time equaliser arguably turned out to be the goal that won Worcester Raiders the League title. Tomorrow’s game promised more of the same, both clubs have started the season well and find themselves at the top end of the table. Both squads had added players, Worcester more than Darlaston. Both squads are very talented and even though neither are challenging for the title at the moment, both managers will have one eye on the four promotion places available this season, so tomorrow’s game once again could have a huge impact for the winners.

As mentioned previously both sides were last season, therefore both grounds needed to be improved to host Step 6 games, Darlaston needed to install floodlights which was completed before the end of August, whereas Claines Lane the home of Worcester Raiders was being completely redeveloped by the new owners Worcestershire County FA, which included the building of their new offices, a 4g pitch, floodlights and stand needed to be erected on the remaining Raiders pitch. Things have not gone to plan for the clubs committee, so far this season Raiders have played all their games away from home so far.

All 10 games so far this season Worcester Raiders have been played away, their position of sixth in the league is outstanding because of this, playing at home is huge advantage. Their playing record of 5 wins, four losses and a draw shows that they are more than capable of being in the mix at the end of the season for the promotion places.

Worcester Raiders first game of the new season was a trip to Dudley Town to play against some of the Sikh Hunters team who beat them in the League Cup final, the last game of last season Worcester Raiders run out winners 3-4 two Roland Krol scoring his first two goals of the season, Dan Flowers and Kirk Layton chipping in with one each. The second game was a visit to AFC Bridgnorth which Raiders won 1-2 goal from Krol again and Matt Andrews were enough to secure the three points at Crown Meadow.

Next up a trip to Bilston Town Karl Gormley’s men took the points again with a 2-3-win Roland Krol was in the goals this time two were added to his already impressive start to the season, Aaron Drake scored the third.

Worcester Raiders finished August fixtures with their third trip to the Black Country in as many weeks to face Smethwick Rangers at the Beeches. Roland Krol added his sixth and seventh to his August total Ryan Rowe and the on-loan Brad Birch from Stourbridge also scoring their first goals of the season.

September started with a 1-0 loss at Wednesfield, followed by a 2-2 draw at Pershore Town Ryan Rowe and Brad Birch again on the scoresheet scoring their second goals of the season Two huge games next, started with a short trip up the River Severn to second placed and unbeaten Bewdley Town. Bewdley continued their run winning 3-1 their cause helped after centre half George Corbett saw red after being shown two yellow cards.

The following Saturday Worcester faced the second unbeaten team in the League this time the leaders Shifnal Town, who proceed to put five past the Raiders defence and keeper.

Raiders were draw against Step 5 and MFL Premier giants Stourport Swifts in a massive local derby in the first round of the Worcester County FA Senior Cup. Both teams played out a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, but Worcester Raiders famously the tie after scoring 4 penalties to Stourports 2 to secure a place in the hat for the next round draw.

Raiders only game in October so far was a trip to Cradley Town resulting in a 3-0 win ex-Cradley forward Ryan Rowe scored a brace, Kirk Layton added the third.

Both squads of players are looking forward to tomorrow’s important game, the three points on offer tomorrow will lift either Club and provide a good platform for the further weeks to accumulate more points as this time of the season, because leagues can be lost at this time of the year but never won, it’s all about accumulating points.

Andy Parkes and his squad after their exciting 3-2 win against Walsall Town Swifts on Tuesday evening in the JW Hunt Cup apart are all available and fit, except long term absentees Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell and Andy Heal. Therefore, Messrs Parkes Lewis and Follows have some difficult decisions to make in selecting a 16-man squad and then the final starting XI for tomorrow's game which kicks off at 3 p.m.

The game promises much if previous years are anything to go by, so to seeing exciting end-to-end no holds barred West Midlands Regional League Premier Division clash that will not disappoint at 3 p.m. the Paycare Ground is the place to be.