PREVIEW: Darlaston Town (A)
Where:
The Paycare Stadium, Bentley Road North, Walsall, WS2 0EA
When:
Saturday 29th of March 2024 (3pm KO)
Following the celebrations of the weekend, it’s back to business for the Reds as they head to the West Midlands with an unbeaten away record to protect. Aside from Long Eaton United, Darlaston Town are the only other side that Quorn haven’t beaten in the league, and overturning that statistic will be no mean feat as The Citizens have a decent record at home and will be fighting for an outside shot at the playoffs.
Quorn’s Form:
The Reds have won five straight in the league, without conceding a single goal in the process. Since the disappointing 2-2 draw with Grantham Town, Quorn have won home games with Coleshill Town (3-0), Bedworth United (6-0) and Wellingborough Town (3-0). There have also been a 3-0 win at AFC Rushden & Diamonds and the 1-0 win at Hinckley LR. Overall, away from The Stotto Stadium, the Reds have won 15 and drawn two, scoring 43 and conceding just eight.
Darlaston Town’s Form:
The Citizens boosted their slim playoff hopes with an impressive 2-0 win away to Worcester City on Tuesday evening. That result came on the back of a damaging loss however, as Town fell to a 2-0 defeat away to Long Eaton United on Saturday. Not only did that defeat see them lose ground on the top five, but it was also notable that Captain Alexander Foreshaw received a red card in stoppage time. If that wasn’t bad enough, 12 goal forward Aaron Bishop had already been dismissed in the first half, meaning both will be absent on Saturday.
Whatever happens for the rest of the season, it’s been an incredible year for Darlaston Town, but their results have been slightly erratic of late. Preceding the two recent tests away to current playoff sides, there were two home games which saw a 1-0 win against struggling Bedworth United, but also a 2-1 defeat at the hands of midtable Boldmere St. Michaels. There have also been recent defeats away to Corby Town and Sutton Coldfield Town, and a run of three straight draws at home, with Wellingborough Town, Lye Town and Coleshill Town.
One to Watch:
With Foreshaw and Bishop suspended, Kieran Cook will be the dangerman. The Wolverhampton born frontman has a rich pedigree on the non-league scene, making numerous appearances at step three with clubs such as Alvechurch, Stourbridge, Rushall Olympic, Coalville Town and Bromsgrove Sporting. Since joining Darlaston in October, Cook has scored 13 goals in 27 appearances.
Last Time: Quorn 1-1 Darlaston Town (23/11/2024)
The Reds created a handful of half chances early on but struggled to break down their well-organised opponents. At the other end The Citizens scored with their only meaningful shot on target, a powerful Ben Podmore header from a corner.
The remainder of the first half was scrappy, Zak Goodson had an effort blocked and Billy Kee headed over. The home supporters felt that Quorn were denied three penalties, one of which came when a Cain Noble header was blocked at close range. The pivotal decision was in the 75th minute, when Goodson was felled. Quorn argued that it was inside the box but scored from the resulting free kick anyway.
Reece Fyfe’s free kick was saved by James Storer, but in the driving rain he lost his grip on the ball and Mason Frizelle was able to stab the ball over the line with fifteen minutes to play. Storer redeemed himself five minutes later, tipping a Rodrigo Goncalves shot over the bar with ten minutes to play. Both sides looked for a winner in stoppage time but went away satisfied with a point.
Tickets:
Adults: £9.00, Concessions: £7.00, Under 14s: Free
Travel:
Take the A512 from Loughborough, through Shepshed, and out towards Ashby-de-la-Zouch. Turning south onto the A42, remain on the road as it becomes the M42. At Water Orton, leave the M42, heading directly onto the M6 North.
Exiting the M6 at junction 10, proceed onto the Black Country Route (A454) in the direction of Wolverhampton and Dudley. Staying in the inside lane from the motorway island leave the Black Country Route on the second slip road onto the A462 signposted Darlaston.
At the traffic island take the first exit onto Marshland Way, proceed until reaching the next traffic island, take the first exit onto Bentley Road North and the entrance to the ground is on the right hand side approximately 75 metres past the Premier Inn which is on your left.