Darlaston players and supporters tomorrow face one of the longest journeys of the season when they are to travel into deepest Shropshire for hopefully as tomorrow's opponents Shawbury United look certain to move to their new ground at the beginning of next season within their village. Therefore, tomorrow's visit to Ludlow could be Darlaston’s last for a while.

After last week's 7-0 demolition of Dudley Sports, which has since seen ex-Darlaston player Ryan McDonagh leave his role as manager, Dean Gill’s squad should be well-rested after timely a week off from playing, although the players were put through an intense training session on Wednesday evening. Over the next 3 weeks, Darlaston have six league and cup games to play.

After Shawbury’s recent success in the past two seasons where they arguably didn’t receive the rewards, they were due to both seasons being cut short due to the Pandemic, they currently find themselves in a really strange position 18th in the table, having played 13 games, winning two games, drawing one, losing 10.

Shawbury’s first win of the season was against local rivals AFC Bridgnorth in mid-September a 4-0 thumping at the Ludlow Stadium, Bridgnorth had keeper Chris Crook sent off.

Before their win, they had lost games against Wednesfield, Dudley Sports, Heath Hayes, Atherstone, Town, Dudley Town, and Chelmsley Town, although Shawbury did draw against OJM Black Country also at the Ludlow Stadium 2-2 in a midweek game, this after OJM went in at half time one goal to the good.

Following their mid-September win, Shawbury lost their next game 4-0 at Wolves Sporting 4-0, the following midweek nine men Shawbury lost 2-1 at home against Cradley Town, after Thomas Taylor was sent off after two yellows, but Joshua Bayliss received a straight red in the 64th minute.

The following Saturday Shawbury had a very long journey to League leaders Stapenhill and had a very long journey back from Leicestershire after a 7-1 drubbing, this after Elliott Lee was sent off after receiving a straight red card.

Up next was a trip to the Black Country to Queen Street to play Bilston Town, Shawbury lost 3-2 after being 3-1 down at half time. Following the game, Decan Allen left the club after being appointed in the summer of 2019. The club have put in temporary charge Sean Evans and Ronnie Box for the immediate future

Last Saturday at the Ludlow Stadium |Shawbury secured their second win of the season against Chelmsley Town 2-1. After the teams left the pitch at half time the score was 0-0. Two second-half goals from Dylan Glendinning and Rifat Ata secured the very much-needed win.

Darlaston will be looking to continue last week's form as they look to close the gap on the league leaders and keep in front of the closing pack who in recent weeks have played their games in hand. At present Darlaston go into tomorrow's game in fourth after Dudley’s midweek win at Chelmsley Town.

So why not have a day out tomorrow, take advantage of the huge reputation of Ludlow’s fantastic reputation as one of the country’s leading culinary towns, with many award-winning establishments.

The match kicks off at 3 pm and is being played at Ludlow Stadium, BROMFIELD ROAD, LUDLOW SY8 2BN.