It's destination Darlaston in next leg of promotion journey
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- 3 min read
Darlaston Town v Runcorn Linnets
Pitching In Northern Premier Leagye West
Saturday, March 14th ko 3pm
The Paycare Stadium, Bentley Road North,
Walsall, West Midlands,WS2 0EA
Preview
Darlaston Town in the West Midlands is the last of our new destinations for the season.
They formed in 2014 as a phoenix club to the original, dating from 1874.
The club folded in 2013 due to financial problems and ground issues.
Darlaston's now home at Bentley Leisure Pavilion, known as the Paycare Stadium, has witnessed a climb of the pyramid from the West Midlands (Regional) League's Division Two.
After winning promotion in 2023-24 as Midlands League Premier Division Play-off winners, they spent last season in the NPL Midlands.
Finishing seventh, they were moved into the West Division and find themselves in relegation strife.
Their cause hasn't been helped by the tumult and upheaval of a recent managerial change.
The resignation of long-serving manager Dean Gill prompted the departures of 17 players.
The team we will face on Saturday will bear little relation to the one we faced at the start of November.
We won the game 4-1, Joe Ferguson delivering his only two goals of the campaign with Lewis Crane and Eden Gumbs also on target.
Now in charge of team affairs at Darlaston is Exodus Geohaghon, whose extensive playing career included service in the EFL Championship (with Peterborough United), Leagues One and Two and all three divisions of the National League.
He was capped twice by England C.
Where are we going?
Historically in Staffordshire, Darlaston is an industrial town in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall, West Midlands with around 21,000 residents (2022 census).
Once a small village, it had built a population of over 15,000 by the early 1900s, becoming known for coal and iron extraction and specialist industries,including gun lock, nut and bolt manufacturing.
Form guide
Despite their struggles, Darlaston have enjoyed some big results at home - defeating Lower Breck and Avro in January.
However, the recent turnover of players means they an unknown quantity.
Three weeks ago, they travelled to Clitheroe with only 12 players and were beaten 9-1.
However, they have since regrouped with a new squad and been competitive in their last three games - although defeated 1-0 at home by Chasetown and away to Atherton Collieries (0-2) and in midweek to Kidsgrove Athletic (0-1).
They are 20th in the table, seven points from safety.
Promotion-chasing Linnets are in fourth place on 63 points, five behind leaders Bury with both having played 34 games.
Second-placed Avro on 67pts and Lower Breck in third (64pts) each have a game in hand on us.
Vauxhall (fifth, 61 from 34), Stalybridge (sixth, 60 from 33) and Bootle (seventh, 55 from 33) are also in strong contention for the play-offs.
Last Saturday, we bounced back from a single-goal defeat at Clitheroe, our fifth away loss of the season, with a 1-0 victory at home to Stafford Rangers.
Player to watch
One of Darlaston's latest signings is Koby Arthur. Koby is a 30 year old midfielder who made 12 Championship appearances for Birmingham City. His Championship debut came as an 18 year old in a 3-1 away win at Millwall. He made a further 12 Football League appearances at Cheltenham Town before moving to Macclesfield, winning promotion to the National League and promotion to The Football League where he made 20 appearances in the 2018/19 season.
How to get there
By road - From M6 Junction 10 exit onto Black Country Route.(third exit from North).
After approximately 400 metres, take the
second exit off Black Country Route.
At the top of slip road, take the first exit at the traffic island - likewise at the next island (after about 50 metres).
The ground is on the right, approximately 75 metres past the Premier Inn.
By train - Darlaston's new railway station is not due to open until later this year. In the meantime, passengers can travel to Wolverhampton or Walsall, completing journeys by bus.
Admission
Adults: £10
Concessions (65 year olds & over): £8
Under 18s: £4.
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