Tomorrow Darlaston welcomes Cradley Town to the Paycare Stadium although they have played each other numerous times over the years at the club's old City Ground, this will be their first visit to the Paycare Stadium.

On Wednesday evening, Paget Rangers travel from their Sutton Coldfield base for another league fixture. Then finally but no means least the following Saturday it is the big local derby when Wednesfield travel four miles to the Paycare Stadium, and they will be looking to avenge their 1-0 defeat at the Cottage ground last August when a Lewis Gill after 4 minutes was enough to earn the 3 points.

Following Tuesday evening's magnificent win at Atherstone Town in the BCFA Midweek Challenge Floodlit Cup, Dean Gill, and his squad return to league action when Trevor Thomas brings his Cradley team for this season's return fixture to Darlaston.

Thomas, who coincidentally is Chairman of Cradley Town, took over the management hot seat after Sean Geddes left the club three games into the season and quickly guided them to mid-table where results have been maintained and currently occupy 12th position playing 24 games, winning 8, drawing 2 and losing 14.

Darlaston visited Cradley Town at the beginning of October and the fixture ended in stalemate with neither side scoring, although both teams had good chances to take the points.

Since the beginning of December Cradley has played 5 games, losing 3-1 at home to runaway league leaders Atherstone Town on the first weekend of December, a two-week break saw a trip to Heath Hayes end in a 4-1 loss. After having a 3-week break in fixtures over Christmas Cradley Town opened their 2022 fixtures with a midweek visit to Queen Street the home of Bilston Town, they surprised the Steelmen with a 3-2 win with two goals from Casey Collins and Darren Whitley securing the three points.

The following weekend Cradley had the long trip to Nuneaton Griff where they won a second successive game beating their hosts 1-0 with an Omario Thomas goal.

Last Tuesday evening Cradley Town hosted second in the table Stapenhill, but they were soundly beaten by the promotion-chasing side 5-1, Darren Whitley getting the consolation goal.

Cradley’s scoring charts are headed by forward Casey Collins who has scored 7 in 24 games, Jordan Crump 7 in 16 games, and Darren Whitley who has scored 4 in 26 games.

Darlaston meanwhile go into the fixture on a run of eight straight wins in league and cup games and buoyed by Tuesday evening’s 1-0 win at runaway league leaders Atherstone Town in the BCFA Midweek Challenge Floodlit Cup Quarter-Final match giving them a Semi-Final tie against fellow Midland League Division One Side OJM Black Country.

With long-term injury victim Matt Pinder now available for selection after coming on as a substitute in last Saturday’s 2-0 win at Khalsa Football Federation, Dean Gill appears to have an injury-free squad.

Darlaston supporters will be hopeful that top scorer Andy Nicol will be available for selection this weekend after recovering from a bout of illness during and over the Christmas period.

Darlaston will be looking to consolidate their rise to fourth place following last week’s win over Khalsa Football Federation and with OJM Black Country Rangers traveling to league leaders Atherstone Town and Dudley Town being without a game tomorrow, the three points on offer from tomorrow’s fixture could have an impact on the table over the coming weeks.

As usual gates open at The Paycare Stadium at 1.00 p.m. and kick-off is at 3.00 p.m.

Darlaston’s well renowned pre-match food will once again be available, including the club's pre-match cobs that received so much praise and good comments after the last home game.

Entrance is, as usual, £5.00 for Adults - £3.00 Concessions – Children Under 10 Free

We hope to see a bumper crowd at the Paycare Stadium tomorrow.