Tomorrow afternoon, Darlaston will travel to play Southern League Premier Central side Harborough Town in the First Round Qualifying of this seasons Emirates FA Cup.

So far this season Darlaston have progressed to this round by winning at Rugby Borough and beating Lye Town at the Paycare Stadium. the same round the club reached last season when they went out to local rivals Sporting Khalsa.

Tomorrow’s opponents Harborough Town were promoted from the Northern Premier League Midlands Division last season after finishing in third place and qualifying for the play-offs.

In the play-off semi-final they beat Hinckley Leicester Road on penalties to travel to league runners up Anstey Nomads in the play-off final. Harborough won 2-0 to gain promotion to the Southern League Premier Central Division.

Managed by Mitch Austin, assisted by David Staff, the team has started well in Step 3. On opening day of the season Harborough lost 1-0 to visitors Stamford. Their second fixture of the season was a trip to Alvechurch a club we know well, Harborough took an early lead Ben Stephens scoring after 3 minutes. Alvechurch equalised in the last 10 minutes of the game from the penalty spot to earn the clubs first point at Step 3.

The following Saturday Harborough Town travelled to Leiston again taking an early lead, only to concede just after half-time to claim another away draw.

Harborough achieved their first win of the season on Bank Holiday Saturday beating Bedford Town 2-1 with an 87th minute Ben Williams winner. It was a big local derby on Bank Holiday Monday Harborough travelled to nearby Kettering Town which ended 1-1, this time Harborough equalised in the 90th minute through Tendai Daire.

Harborough Town will play their first game in the Emirates FA Cup this season tomorrow when all Step 3 clubs enter the competition.

Darlaston Town meanwhile had a great Bank Holiday weekend, two great performances produced a first win of the league season against Hinckley LR on Saturday and a point at Boldmere St. Michaels on Monday. In training this week the squad would have not only looked at recovery from last weekends two fixtures in 48 hours, but would have spent sometime planning for tomorrows game.

The game is being played at:

Harborough Town Community Football Ground
Northampton Road
Market Harborough
LE16 9HF

Kick-off 3.00 p.m.

Admission: Adults £12.00, Concessions £6.00 and Under 16’s £3.00
Payments can be made by cash or card on entering the ground.

Turnstiles will open from 1.30 p.m. and we understand from Harborough Town that food will be on sale within the ground prior to kick-off.

Spectators attending the game should park in the Council Car Park immediately outside the club gates, which is free of charge.

A match programme will be available on the day at a cost of £2.00, from the turnstiles.

We hope as many Darlaston supporters as possible will make the long trip down the M6 and A14 tomorrow to support the team on our FA Cup journey.