Match Preview

Its local derby day at the Paycare Stadium tomorrow afternoon, with no professional football being played in the Midlands due to the International break, including Walsall, its an ideal opportunity for football fans to come and experience the big local non-league derby, between Darlaston Town and Dudley Town.

The sides have already met twice this season, both games ending in 2-2 draws, one in the Midland Football League and the second in Isuzu FA Vase which after a penalty shootout Dudley Town beat Darlaston 5-4 allowing them to progress into the Second Round when they exited the cup last weekend. Both games were played at the Guardian Warehousing Arena.

Following Dudley’s successful Championship winning 2022/23 season, when they amassed 100 points, scoring 100 goals in the process they earned automatic promotion into the Midland Football League Premier Division where results would suggest they have taken time to adjust to the new League as they go into tomorrow’s game in 17th position after 12 games with a single win over bottom club Bewdley Town, two draws and nine losses with a goal difference of -18. Whereas Darlaston are 6th in the league just outside the play-offs having won five of their twelve games and drawn six.

Irrespective of league places, local derby’s certainly rip up the form book and anything is possible and tomorrow will be no exception.

Since the club’s met in Isuzu FA Vase on 21st October 2023, Dudley have not played a league game. They exited the Moldwel Products League Cup beaten by local rivals Wednesfield 5-4 on penalties after drawing 0-0 in normal time.

Dudley travelled to Eastwood Community last Saturday in their Second Round tie in the Isuzu FA Vase and returned after losing 4-1, Wednesday evening Lichfield City travelled to the Guardian Warehousing Arena in the JW Hunt Cup and beat their hosts convincingly 5-0, with four second half goals.

Winger Harry Crook remains Dudley’s major threat with 8 goals in 14 games so far and he has recently returned to the team following a spell on the sidelines after an injury. Centre forward Josh McKenzie with 2 in 9 including one against Darlaston in the Isuzu FA Vase and Oliver Waddison with 2 goals in 3 games are next in the scoring charts. The remainder of Dudley’s goals have been shared amongst the squad.

Darlaston suffered another cup exit mid-week losing 3-0 to Northern Premier West Division side Hednesford Town at their impressive Keys Park Stadium and now with the exception of Wednesday nights game against West Bromwich Albion will take a rest from cup football until after Christmas allowing them to concentrate on league football and know doubt manager Dean Gill will want to improve on their steady start to the season.

Manager Gill has been quoted in the Express & Star this week “Do we want to be in the play-offs, Yes. Are we good enough to be, Yes. Are we arrogant enough to think it’s a foregone conclusion, absolutely Not. We are pulling in third gear not fifth, this time last year we were in fifth gear and eventually we blew a gasket in April, and we are doing better this season than last”.

Darlaston will be helped with the return of Ryan Winwood after he has served his three game ban for a recent red card, but Darlaston will lose Lewis Gill who starts his three game ban after being sent off against Northwich Victoria last weekend.

The club are hopeful of a large crowd at tomorrow’s game it’s a big game for the locals and because of no professional football being played in the Midlands tomorrow Darlaston are hopeful of attracting some neutral supporters to tomorrow’s games.

Gates and the Bar will open at 1.00 pm as usual.

Admission £7.00 adults, £5.00 concessions, Children Under 10 FREE

Car Parking is Free and available on site.

Programme - £2.00 available from pay kiosk.

The bar will be serving its usual pre-match hot and cold food.

Please – come and take a look at non-league football. There is possibly no better game to watch tomorrow other than two local rivals throwing the form book out of the window and playing out a big local derby. There is nothing better than playing in front of a large crowd.

We hope to see as many people as possible at the Paycare Stadium tomorrow afternoon.