Match Preview

At he Paycare Stadium tomorrow afternoon it’s yet another hugely important league game for Darlaston Town when 4th placed Highgate United visit.

The teams have already met this season at the end of September at Highgate’s Shirley base when an inspired second half performance led by Aaron Brown, Highgate inflicted Darlaston’s first defeat of the season with a 3-0 win.

Highgate are in good form having won four out of their last six league outings and they are just one place above Darlaston in the table, two points in front having two games in hand, so as we start to enter the business end of the season a win for either team will be very important. Highgate have won eleven of their seventeen games, losing four times and drawing twice.

Following their Isuzu Third Round FA Vase cup exit at the hands of Lichfield City in the middle of December, Highgate entertained Shifnal Town on the Saturday before Christmas at their Shirley home winning the game 1-0 after an 87th minute Ryan Harkin goal despite Shay Palmer being sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

On Boxing Day Highgate travelled to in form Studley losing 1-0 to a Romario Martin goal. In the New Year fixture Highgate were once again away travelling to the Guardian Warehousing Arena to play another in form side in Dudley Town. Highgate after winning 2-0 early in the second half, Dudley fought back to win the game 3-2 after scoring three goals inside 10 minutes. Last season’s league top scorer Ryan Harkin was sent off and will miss tomorrow’s game.

Last Saturday Highgate travelled to the Beeches home of Tividale winning.
4-0, Bassit Mandey opened the scoring in the first-half but second half goals from Kartel O’Neil-Martin, Aaron Williams and substitute Jake Collins securing Highgate’s first win of the New Year, cementing their 4th place in the table.

Ryan Harkin once again heads Highgate’s scoring charts with 11 goals in 19 appearances, followed by Connor Mooney who has scored 10 in 21 starts. The remainder of the goals have been shared around the squad.

Darlaston meanwhile, after their late winner against Uttoxeter Town at the Paycare Stadium last week, despite the postponement of Wednesday night’s cup fixture against Feckenham, have trained very well this week and we understand from the management team that there are no major injury concerns or worries for tomorrows fixture, which will be subject to a 10.30 a.m. pitch inspection following the severe overnight frosts this week.

So before travelling please, check the clubs website and social media channels for the result of the inspection.

Gates will open at 1.00 p.m.

Tomorrow the gates and bar will open as usual at 1pm
Admission - £7.00 Adults, Concessions £5.00 , Under 10’s FREE
Programme £2.00 available from the Pay Hut.

The bar will be selling it’s usual pre match hot and cold menu.

As we start to enter the business end of the season, this is the time that players, management team and club need everyone’s support. Therefore we hope to see as many of you as possible at tomorrow afternoons game