Match Preview

Tomorrow afternoon at The Paycare Stadium there is a huge game for both Darlaston Town and Stourport Swifts as they play for a place in the play-off final next Saturday, the prize for winning the next two games is promotion into Step 4 of the NLS.

Both clubs finished the season with wins, Darlaston were on an outstanding run, winning their last seven consecutive games without conceding a goal. Within that seven games were two wins against Stourport Swifts, 4-0 at The Paycare Stadium and 2-0 at their Walsh’s Meadow home ground.

Following that home defeat, Stourport have won their remaining three league fixtures, all played away from home. First was a 1-0 win at Atherstone Town Jamie Meadows scoring the all important goal.

The following Saturday saw a huge win for Swifts over Stone Old Alleynians, the match was played at Stafford Town. The match started well for Stourport an own goal gave them the lead in the second minute. Aaron Birch made it 2-0 before half-time. Stone came back into the game with two Jack Bowater goals in the 58th and 70th minutes. Jamie Meadows put Swifts in back in front in the 75th minute only for Charlie Batho to once again level the scores with just five minutes remaining. Stourport Swifts skipper Martin Slevin won the game for Swifts with a vital winner direct from a corner in the 90th minute.

Stourport secured a play-off place by beating local rivals Bewdley Town 5-0 at Riverside Meadows in the last game of their league season.

The results between the two clubs in recent weeks are now history and will mean absolutely nothing going into tomorrow’s one off game, where the winner takes all, earning a place in the play-off final next Saturday.

Stourport Swifts are bound to want to right the wrongs of their two losses to Darlaston in the league and most people consider Darlaston Town to be the form team in the Division. However, Darlaston have not played for ten days and have suffered two key injuries to players as their hectic run into the season made its toll having to play so many games in such as short space of time, and they will face fitness tests before tomorrow’s game.

The other play-off semi-final is between Lichfield City and Highgate United who pushed Studley out of the play-off places with a 12-0 win over bottom club Bewdley Town to secure their play-off place.

It is very much service as usual at the Paycare Stadium tomorrow off the field.

Gates & Bar will open at 1.00 pm.
The bar will be serving its usual pre-match hot and cold food.

Admission – Adults £7.00, Concessions £5.00, Children Under 10 Free

Season Tickets – DO NOT apply to this fixture
Programmes - £2.00 available from the Pay Hut upon entrance

There will be additional parking on site tomorrow, please arrive early because a larger crowd is expected than normal.

We hope as many Darlaston supporters as possible will make their way to the Paycare Stadium tomorrow afternoon to support the team in their quest to extend their season by another game.