Tomorrow is Darlaston Town 1874’s return to The Paycare Ground when they welcome near neighbours Bilston Town. With the grounds less than three miles apart along the Black Country route, the word ‘local’ could not be truer. Whilst both Clubs respect and get on with each other, as do the fans, all friendships will stop at 3.00 p.m. tomorrow when the referee blows his whistle to start the game.

Before the game kicks off tomorrow, both clubs will pay their respect to Marina Heseltine, wife of Non League Super Fan and friend to both clubs Frank Heseltine. Marina sadly passed away recently after a battle against cancer

Darlaston will be looking to return to winning ways after two defeats way from home at Wolverhampton Casuals and AFC Bridgnorth, whereas Bilston last week beat Cradley Town 3-2 at Queens Street and will be buoyed by the appointment yesterday of a new Management Team of Noel Cotterill and his management team of Hayden Foote who left Smethwick Rangers in the week to take up the post of Assistant Manager, Rob Walters and Jason Walters who will be Cotterill’s assistants and coaches, this after Scott Hamilton resigned on 7th September 2019 after a heavy loss at Bewdley Town.

Bilston are currently in 16th position within the Division having played six games, with a single win and a draw as well as four losses with a goal difference of -12 and a total of 4 points, whereas Darlaston currently directly in mid-table in 9th position with 8 points from 7 games.

Bilston’s season opened with a really tough game at title favourite’s Wolverhampton Sporting Community they were well beaten Wolves Sporting inflicting an 8-1 loss. The following week at Queen’s Street, Bilston entertained Black Country Rangers resulting which ended in a 1-1 draw Shakeer Parry scoring for the home side in the 11th minute.

Week 3 saw a trip to AFC Bridgnorth which resulted in a 2-0 loss. Back to Queens Street on Bank Holiday weekend when Bilston welcomed Division One Champions Worcester Raiders. Some would argue Raiders stole the points with a late goal after Kevin Nickle and Shaquille Lee had scored for the Steelmen. Despite having Kirk Layton sent off for a second yellow card, Worcester took the points back to Claines Lane with two goals from Roland Kroll and the third from Aaron Drake.

AT the end of August Bilston had a break from League action when they travelled to Wolverhampton Casuals for a first extra qualifying round match in this seasons F.A. Vase. Casuals knocked Bilston out of the competition with a 2-1 win.

September started with a 4-1 reversal at second placed Bewdley Town. Shortly after the game Scott Hamilton tendered his resignation to the Bilston board, who reluctantly accepted it. A hat-trick from Dhillon Hart and single goal from Matt Kirby saw off the Steelmen and consolidation Bewdley’s position in second place just behind Shifnal Town. Bilston’s only goal of the game was scored by ex-Darlaston Town striker Sam Melia.

Last week’s game at Queens Street between Bilston and Cradley Town must have been a tense affair. Cradley opening the score in the 12th minute Cradley skipper Kieran Day stole the ball from Bilston’s defence to put the Hammers 1-0 up. Bilston equalised just after the half-time break with Sam Melia scoring his second in two games. Cradley went back in-front on 56 minutes Jamie Tomlinson getting on the end of a cross, his well-struck shot went in off the underside of the bar giving the keeper no chance.

Cradley Town tried to see out the game, but well into injury time after Bilston threw everything at The Hammers the sixth minute in fact, Kevin Nickle equalised. Bilston weren’t finished. Two minutes later Kamal Parry volleyed the ball home for Bilston’s first 3 points of the season.

With the appointment of Noel Cottrill as Bilston’s new manager yesterday, things will be very difficult for Andy Parkes and his men tomorrow afternoon.

Darlaston’s squad is now getting back to some kind of strength with Lucas Hoff and Luke Charlton returning the squad, Lucas Hoff after injury and Charlton after being away and long-term absentee Andy Heel has now started light training after his shoulder and knee injuries but out are Morgan Campbell on holiday and Jo Baker back – long-term absentee Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell with a broken foot, but in addition to Parkes’ squad new signing Adam Cole may make the match day squad.

Tomorrow promises to be a bumper ground at the Paycare Ground. Gates open at around 1.15 p.m. with bar and food open as normal pre-match during and after.

Entrance for adults is £5.00, Concessions £3.00, Children £1.00 and U10’s Free.

We hope to see you tomorrow afternoon as the weather is set to be fair.