Match Preview

Tomorrow night Darlaston Town have a really important League fixture against Shifnal Town who are currently 7th in the league having only played six games, won four, drawn one and lost one. Four places above Darlaston and three points to the good, having played the same number of games.

Shifnal reached the same stage as Darlaston Town in The Emirates FA Cup losing 2-1 to Nantwich Town and since their cup exit, they have played three league fixtures beating Lichfield City 3-1, Bewdley Town 4-1 but losing at their Acoustafoam Stadium home to Congelton Town 2-1. In the JW Hunt Cup last midweek, they handed out an 8-2 thrashing to West Midlands Regional League side Wrens Nest but on Saturday when out of the Isuzu FA Vase losing at home once again to fellow Midland Football Premier Division side Stone Old Alleyians losing 3-1.

Shifnal Town are under a new management team guided by Connor Patterson assisted by ex-Hednesford Town Director of Football Graham Deakin and Steve Nicholls.

Shifnal’s squad carries some extremely dangerous players including forwards Josh Hesson who proved so successful at Lye Town last season and scored three goals, along with Joe Cuff the AFC Telford United, Stafford Rangers and Hednesford Town who has scored nine goals so far this season and long term servant Tom Hill who has been the thorn in many Midland Football League and West Midlands League sides in recent years.

Darlaston meanwhile have a severely injury hit squad after losing Ben Priest and Josh Jones to muscle injuries in the first half of Saturdays 5-2 win at Padget Ranges in the Isuzu FA Vase and they have joined long-term injury victims Farid Mikidam and Reece Mason on the side lines. Darlaston will also be without the suspended Louis Baker and Ben Podmore who will be serving his final match of his three game ban. Manager Dean Gill will have to juggle his squad to ensure that Darlaston will be competitive at tomorrow nights game and due to the injury crisis, Shifnal Town are bound to start as favourites, even though the game is being played at The Paycare Stadium.

Kick-off is 7.45 p.m.
Gates will open at 6.15 p.m. along with the bar that will be serving its usual pre-match hot and cold food.

A good crowd is expected tomorrow evening as there are no other local games.

Entrance – Adults £7.00, Concessions £5.00, Children under 10 FREE

Programmes - £2.00 – Available at the gate
There will be a team sheet available in the bar prior to kick-off.

Tomorrow evening is another occasion where a rally call has been issued for all Darlaston supporters to come and support their team. Tomorrow night’s fixture as well as the visit to second place Highgate United on Saturday are two key fixtures in the season and your support would be hugely appreciated by the players and management team.