The game will be subject to a pitch inspection at 9 am. The pitch, which is just currently playable, but with heavy prolonged rain forecast overnight, the club and Match Officials thought it best to inspect early in the morning.

The clubs met at Stalybridge’s Bower Fold ground in a mid-week fixture on 23rd September 2025 and Darlaston suffered their heaviest defeat for many years losing 6-0. The defeat was also the largest ever in Manager Dean Gill’s management career not only in adult but junior football also spanning over 15 years.

Since the win in September which saw The Celts rise into second place in the table, their form has dipped and they are in 8th position going into tomorrows game. They have played 19 league fixtures, winning 10, drawing 1 and have lost 8 securing 31 points, which leaves then three places and 3 points out of the play-off places.

Last month The Celts played five league fixtures winning all three of their home fixtures at the impressive Bower Fold ground, the wins were over Newcastle Town (3-0) and Withenshawe Town (4-1) and Runcorn Linnets (1-0)

The other two fixtures were on the road away at league leaders Lower Brek which they lost 2-1 and last Saturday Stalybridge Celtic were beaten 2-1 at Chasetown by two late goals the winner was a 92 minute penalty.

Darlaston meanwhile, having had last Saturday off following the postponement of the fixture against Avro, have trained well this week and the rest has enabled the squad to recover and players suffering from injuries have had time to recuperate and therefore Darlaston’s management are likely to have a full strength squad to select from.

Following the manager’s rallying call on Monday within his weekly article, the club would want to see a large Darlaston contingent at tomorrow’s hugely important game as we enter the most important period of the season so far.

Kick-off 3.00 p.m.

Gates open at 1.15 p.m.

Admission - £10.00 Adults, £8.00 Concessions, £4.00 Under 18’s and Under 10’s Free
Payment on entry can be by either card or cash

Programmes £2

Bar opens at 1.15 p.m. Our usual match day menu will be served in the back room with hot and cold food available all afternoon, together with the bar serving its usual alcoholic beverages and hot and cold drinks.

We hope to see a large crowd noisy crowd at The Paycare Stadium on tomorrow subject to a pitch inspection at 9 am.