Droitwich Spa

West Midlands (Regional) League
Darlaston Town (1874) F.C.
vs
Droitwich Spa F.C.
Saturday 25th August 2018 Programme £1.00
Price £2.00

Darlaston Town (1874)
Club Directory
Chairman:
Vice Chairman:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Neil Chambers
Tel: 07976 752698
Garry Hale
Tel: 07791139288
Gil Preece
Tel: 07593281513
Bob Jones
Club Directors: Neil Chambers Keith Chambers
Rose Burley Bob Jones
General Commiee: Neil Chambers Garry Hale Bob Jones
Gil Preece Anton Allen Dave Steventon
Rose Burley George Hancox Keith Chambers
Craig Wilkinson
Team Manager:
Assistant Manager:
Sports Therapist:
Physiotherapist:
Club Photographer:
Ground Address:
Andy Parkes
Sco. Moore
Mike Howe
Aimee Clemson
Jayne Cartwright Coven Photography
The Paycare Ground
Bentley Leisure Pavilion
Bentley Road North
WALSALL
WS2 0EA
Telephone: 01922 616165
Email: general@darlastontown1874fc.com
Website: www.darlastontown1874fc.com
Programme printed by Tom Giles & Co, OLDBURY. Prog. No 24 2

Chairman's Message
Today we extend a warm Paycare Ground welcome to
the players, officials and supporters of Worcestershire
based Droitwich Spa FC.
Following their move this season from the Total
Motion Midland League this will be the first ever
League meeting of the two clubs. They have made a
fabulous start to their first season in the Division with
6 points from two games without conceding a goal so
we know another tough game is in prospect. Win lose
or draw their players and officials will be made most
welcome to join us for post-match hospitality.
Obviously we have made a very good start to the season, our best since re
-forming in 2014/15. All credit must go to the players and management
team. Three consecutive wins at any level of football is always difficult.
Interestingly we have already had two 1-0 victories which compares
favourably as we had just one 1-0 win last season in our opening day
fixture against Old Wulfs.
Last Saturday night was a big night for the club with a sell-out night to see
the hilarious, if not always politically correct, Liverpool comedian Frankie
Allen. As always our tremendous volunteers and committee members did a
great job once again showing the club in a great light to a new audience.
Everyone had a great night and the feedback was excellent. The evening
raised funds for our new Under 16 teams as well as for Birmingham
Children’s Hospital.
I know we are only a few weeks into the season but I have already seen
seven games including in the WMRL Premier Division and the Midland
Football League. I can honestly say that despite the unbelievably hot
weather conditions and lack of rain over the past few months our pitch
and surroundings are in fantastic condition and compare more than
favourably with others I have seen. Massive thanks to everyone involved,
but special mention to Gil Preece, George Hancocks and Dave Steventon
who have been magnificent.
The support so far this season has again been tremendous with an
opening league home gate of 137 and a big away following at both away
games where we have had more supporters than the home club. Thank
you for your fantastic support and please don’t forget that we have a
game this Bank Holiday Monday when Tipton Town will be the visitors KO
3.00pm.
Look forward to seeing you again on Monday and please enjoy today’s
game
3

4

View from the Dugout
Good A8ernoon and welcome back to The Paycare
Ground for what is our fourth league game of the new
season. Before I talk about our start to the new
campaign, I just want to say a massive thank you for all
your support in the games so far this season, especially
the two away games. The lads are more grateful than you
will ever know, nothing provides a be.er li8 to the
players and drives them on, than hearing your supporters
encouraging and acknowledging their efforts. The Darlo
faithful play a much larger part in the squad’s performance than you realise.
We have had two tough away games in consecu?ve weekends and to take maximum
points in our first three league games we could not have asked for a be.er start to
the season. Even though it’s early in the season, the lads have been superb with their
approach and aAtude to each game. Already the squad has been tested with two or
three changes in every game which has not been ideal, but that’s why it is so
important to have a very strong squad, because even at our level, it’s not how good
is your star?ng XI, it’s how good is your squad, every player must be capable of being
able to play at the same level as the player they are replacing. Also, this keeps
players who start a game on their toes, if they don’t perform someone siAng on the
bench or in the crowd could and will take their shirt when they are given their
chance.
The first game of the season is always tough. Every team goes into the game with no
form or idea how the opposi?on will perform, it makes the game very much a
lo.ery. All the informa?on we accumulated last season, coaching notes,
scou?ng reports selec?on analysis go out the window as you never know what
you’re up against. All you can do in pre-season is ensure the squad enters the first
game in the best physical and mental condi?on possible. Also, we made sure
everyone knows their responsibili?es and their roles within the team, not only in the
defensive shape, but also a.acking roles, together with planned set piece’s once
again both a.acking and defensively.
I was pleased with the 1-0 win against Bromyard Town. They came with a game plan
to sit in behind the ball and make it hard for us, whilst trying to hit us on the counter
with their wide players. I felt we took control of the game early on seAng the tempo
and maintaining good spells of possession which meant we controlled
5

large por?ons of the game. We had to be pa?ent at ?mes, whilst remaining aware
and focused.
It always a dangers game when you are winning 1-0 and you have a lot of the ball,
one mistake, or a piece of skill can cost you dearly. We knew we had to score first
and the lads found a way through, so I was really pleased with our overall game. The
only disappoin?ng thing was we should have scored more goals given the chances
we created.
Our first away trip of the season to Bustleholme’s new home at York Road proved
very evenFul. Bustleholme home or away is always a tough game, they are a
forward-thinking side always looking to move the ball forward and a.ack at
every opportunity. They o8en play with no real shape, which can cause opposing
managers real problems because there is no pa.ern or method to their play. The
pitch was very dry and uneven, it was always going to make things difficult. I thought
we started the game really well domina?ng the first 35 minutes, with the chances
we created we should have been three or four goals to the good, without the two
penal?es. In saying that to go into the half-?me break 3-1 up away from home was
pleasing, but the way we conceded was very poor, it was a catalogue of errors for 3
minutes before the goal, several players made mistakes and errors of judgement.
Even at this early stage of the season some of the players were carrying and had
picked up knocks, which had to be managed during the second half by making
changes as early as we could. Bustleholme came out and made the second half a
more even contest, despite their pressure we mainly were able to restrict them to
long range efforts. To win 4-1 away from home at any stage in the season is a
fantas?c result, but to do it with a hat-trick of uncontested penal?es is unheard of.
In all the years I have been involved in football I have never know a player score a
hat-trick of penal?es as Zuki did. Because we have two games in two days, I have le8
the Wellington game for Mondays programme.
Today’s opponents Droitwich Spa are new to the West Midlands League a8er
moving across from the Total Mo?on Midlands League Division Two. They have been
very successful in the Division over the last couple of seasons finishing in the top
three regularly and missing out on promo?on for various reasons. We are expec?ng
the biggest test of the season so far today, a different type of game to last weeks at
Wellington as they play a very different style of football.
The lads are in good spirit and have prepared well this week for the game. With our
usual Darlo home support behind us, we will be doing our best to take another three
points today.
6

GMB Birmingham & West Midlands Region
Regional Secretary Joe Morgan
Will Thorne House, 2 Birmingham Road, HALESOWEN, B63 3HP
Tel 0121 550 4888 Fax 0121 550 4272
Email: joe.morgan@gmb.org.uk
Website www.gmb-westmids.org.uk
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7

Match Report
Darlaston Town (1874) 1 Bromyard Town 0
West Midlands (Regional) League Division One
Saturday 4th August 2018
An opening day crowd of 137 saw Darlaston emerge with 3 points to get their 2018/19 season
off to a good start. Despite the scoreline Darlaston were comfortable winners and controlled
the game for long periods.
In glorious sunshine at The
Paycare Ground the home side
created two early chances. Firstly
Danny Mayne shot wide from an
acute angle and on 6 minutes
debutant Daniel Bolzon came
close to opening his account.
Ryan Kingdon and Ryan Jones
combined down the le8 flank,
Jones sending in a superb cross
which was headed over by Bolzon
from 8 yards with opposi?on
keeper Alex Rhodes well beaten.
Darlaston were controlling the pace
of the game with some excellent
passing moves but they lacked the
cuAng edge in front of goal to ease
the nerves of their supporters and
management team. Bolzon and
Mayne were both off target as
pressure mounted on the
overworked Bromyard defence with
Dan Tonks and Cameron Green
standing resolute at the heart of the
visitors defence.
Despite the pressure from the home
side it was the visitors who had a
glorious chance to open the scoring in the 31st minute. A four man move from their own
penalty area resulted in Ma.hew Croucher Smith finding space beyond the Darlaston defence
the impressive striker unleashed a superb angled drive from 18 yards which was superbly
?pped over the bar by debutant keeper Liam Whi.aker, acroba?cally diving high
to his right. 8

Darlaston re grouped and could have taken the lead 3 minutes later. The hard working
Danny Mayne chased a lost cause deep into the Bromyard half bea?ng defender Luke
Holylee to the ball, cuAng inside and crossing for Bolzon who twisted his body to angle a
difficult headed chance into the bo.om corner but keeper Rhodes pulled off an excellent
scrambling save to his right turning the ball around the post for a corner. From the
resul?ng corner a half chance fell to Leon Taylor who hooked the half chance wide of
Rhodes' le8 hand post. Despite fairly constant pressure the half ended goalless.
The second half started pre.y much the same as the first half with Darlaston on top . On
49 minutes following a foul on Danny Mayne by Lloyd Wager , a Ryan Jones free kick from
25 yards was fumbled by keeper Rhodes but despite a desperate a.empt by Mar?n "Zuki"
Stanton to prod the ball
home, the Bromyard
goal survived.
The only goal of the
game arrived just 2
minutes later. The
trickery and pace of
Daniel Bolzon had
caused the visi?ng
defenders plenty of
problems and he was
the subject of several
heavy challenges.
Wager was guilty of such a challenge on Bolzon 22 yards out. Jones again took the free
kick, crossing to the far post where Luke Charlton stole in to head home from 6 yards,
much to the delight of his fellow players and the home supporters.
Following a rib injury Ryan Kingdon was subs?tuted on 60 minutes, Connor Asbury coming
on for his debut. On 65 minutes Taylor was within inches of doubling the lead just failing
to convert at the far post a8er some good approach work by Sam Causton and Mayne.
On 66 minutes Noah Diallo became the fourth Darlaston debutant and his quality on the
ball was immediately apparent as he made himself available in midfield to set up several
a.acking moves.
Diallo from 35 yards, Anthony Follows and Bolzon all had efforts off target as Darlaston
looked to add a second goal to put the game beyond the visitors who remained
compe??ve, con?nuing to look to prize open the home defence in search of the equaliser.
Josh Tolley became the 5th debutant replacing Taylor and despite a late rally by the
visitors Darlaston held out comfortably for the 3 points.
Despite the close scoreline, Darlaston were generally in control and with more
clinical finishing could have won the game more comfortably. 9

Match Report
Bustleholme 1 Darlaston Town (1874) 4
West Midlands (Regional) League Division One
Saturday 11th August 2018
A hat trick of penal?es by defender Mar?n Stanton gave Darlaston a comfortable win at York
Road Oldbury. With Ryan Kingdon, Luke Charlton, Jarrod Grant and Tyrone Clarke O'Connell all
unavailable Darlaston manager gave a debut to Connor Asbury and club captain Ryan
McAllister and Noah Diallo returned to the star?ng line-up whilst Mark Swann and Gurdeep
Wilkoo both made second half debuts.
Darlaston opened brightly and created three good chances in the opening 5 minutes. Firstly,
Diallo had a shot blocked before full back Sam Causton made progress down the right flank
before cuAng inside to unleash a vicious 22-yard shot which ra.led against the cross bar with
keeper Luke Mauldridge well beaten. A minute later some neat work by Daniel Bolzon set up
Antony Follows but the midfielder's 15-yard shot was well saved by Mauldridge.
A Leon Taylor overhead
kick went tamely wide
whilst Bustleholme’s Jack
Whi.all was unmarked in
the Darlaston penalty area
but missed a glorious
chance sending his 10-yard
header wide.
With just 15 minutes on
the clock the visitors had
forced five corners all
coming to nothing.
Darlaston's forward play
was rewarded in the 17th
minute. A corner from Diallo was met by Taylor's firm goalward bound header but Dane
Hughes' outstretched hand denied the striker his first goal of the season as the referee pointed
to the spot. Stanton confidently dispatched the spot kick to give the visitors a deserved lead.
Asbury, Bolzon and Follows all had opportuni?es to extend the lead but were denied by some
good goalkeeping and some fine defending. Darlaston doubled their lead in the 28th minute
with their seventh corner of the half. A superb de8 header by Taylor conver?ng Diallo's pin
point corner.
Darlaston were looking confident and in control un?l two errors at the heart of the
defence gave Bustleholme a life line in the 32nd minute. Some sloppy distribu?on
at the back allowed Myles Ne.leford to create havoc with a le8-wing cross 10

esul?ng in a corner. From the corner the havoc con?nued a Chris Norton header bobbled
in to the six-yard area Sam Causton's a.empted clearance hit the back of Whi.aker and
rebounded into the net to halve the arrears.
Despite the setback Darlaston responded well and Taylor had two glorious opportuni?es
to extend their lead, firstly he created a fine chance for himself turning two defenders
before unleashing a dipping 20-yard angled shot inches over the bar. A minute later Taylor
pounced on a poor back pass, but his 12-yard shot was saved by the legs of keeper
Mauldridge. On 37 minutes
Darlaston were awarded
their second penalty when
Bolzon was brought down
from behind by Ashley
Brookes. Stanton again
dispatched the spot kick to
restore the visitors two
goal advantage.
Darlaston were dominant
in the opening 45 minutes
but the second half was
more evenly contested and
Bustleholme probably had
the edge. Last season's
Division One top goal
scorer and League Player of the Season Chris Brown was much more influen?al spraying
40 and 50 yard passes from le8 to right crea?ng problems for the home defence as
Remmell Johnson and Myles Ne.leford both responded as Bustleholme tried desperately
to get themselves back into the game.
Whi.all pounced on a poor back pass by Ryan Jones but Whi.aker's legs came to the
rescue whilst Brown and Chris Norton both had shots well wide. Brown hit the bar with a
20-yard drive and Darlaston weathered the storm to compose themselves forcing several
free kicks as the home side became a li.le over zealous with some of their challenges on
Diallo and Bolzon.
With 5 minutes remaining Darlaston were awarded their third penalty of the a8ernoon
when Mark Swann was brought down by Zac Holden, for the third ?me Stanton stepped
up to convert the spot kick, his first hat trick for the club.
The ac?on was not over. On 87 minutes Bustleholme midfielder Chris Norton was sent off
for a scything challenge on Bolzon and in the final seconds Leon Taylor turned his
defender twice in the box before shoo?ng inches wide from 12 yards.
Albeit very early in a long season, the win takes Darlaston to the top of the table
with a maximum 6 points from their opening two games.
11

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13

Player & Managem
Liam Whittaker
Sammy Causton
Ryan Kingdon
Ryan Jones
Sponsored by
Neil Chambers
Sponsored by
Jayne and Terry
Kingdon
Sponsored by
Pete and Alma
Davies
David Richards Gurdeep Wilkhoo Mason Hodgson Nathan Griffiths
Sponsored by
Mark James
Sponsored by
Simon and Emily
Rogers-Hinks
Sponsored by
Alan Dulleston
Sponsored by
Keith Chambers
Joshua Sam Lynex Tolley
Adonijah Allen
Daniel Bolzon
Noah Diallo
Sponsored by
Andy Butler
Sponsored by
Coz and Beachy
Sponsored by
John Acton and
Roger Roberts
Sponsored by
Stan Jackson
14

ent Sponsorships
Ryan McAllister Martin Stanton Liam Cox Nathan Jackson
Sponsored by
Graham and Brian
Lloyd
Sponsored by
Sue and Bob Jones
Sponsored by
Rose Burley
Sponsored by
H Steventon
Luke Charlton Ant Follows Jarrod Grant
Connor Asbury
Sponsored by
Anton Allen
Sponsored by
Scott Follows
and Jamie Green
Sponsored by
Neil Chambers
Sponsored by
Dominic Harvey and
family
Tyrone Clarke
Mark Swann
Leon Taylor
Danny Mayne
Sponsored by
Leah Tranter
Sponsored by
SMT Painters and
Decorators
Sponsored by
Dave and Kelly
Haskett
Sponsored by
Sarah Tranter and
Gav Ingles
Andy Parkes
Scott Moore Mike Howe Aimee Clemson
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16

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17

“Beyond the
Dressing Room”
Welcome back for my second instalment of “Beyond the Dressing Room”. Which is
split between todays and Monday’s programmes.
This week I have decided to give you a bit of an insight into how some of the
characters within Darlaston Town (1874) FC came to be involved with the club. I
will then hope you get an idea of just how infectious/warm and close knitted our on/
off the field team really are…
Most people think of Darlaston Town (1874) and think of a particular player, the
manager or maybe even the chairman, but to me there would be no Darlaston
Town without a traditional and proud history. Nobody lies at the heart of that more
than our club secretary/grounds maintenance who for his 30 plus years’ service to
the club has seen recognition in receiving “Black Country’s unsung hero 2015”, and
this summer the “Queens Valued Volunteer Award”.
Gilberto as I call him has become more than a part of the football family, to me and
my own family he is just “family”. He is the most kind hearted and dedicated man
I’ve ever met, and I love listening to his stories from years gone by, I among others
know Gil as Mr Darlaston and he has a reputation far and wide across Midlands
grassroots football. His reputation is weighted in respect for his knowledge and
experience, we all joke but for me Gil signifies what this level of football is about
and is integral to our club.
Next is Neil Chambers our chairman, he gets his own section in the programme
every home game, so of course everyone knows his face, but few know what
commitment and heart lies behind that face. Neil is a retired tax inspector and we
all of course joke with him about how his conscience and determination to follow
the rules to the letter. His desire to follow every guideline, protect the reputation of
the club and to build and develop the club ensuring it is sustainable and here for
generations to enjoy for the foreseeable.
You see Neil is the brains of the outfit, he keeps meetings to time, is the paperwork
maestro, he does so so much more than steer our ship. Neil is extremely hands on
and often jokes about his “title” giving him some kind of protection from the more
grizzly jobs such as toilet cleaning and bacon flipping, but no he gets on those
marigolds as much as the next volunteer and does more than his bit.
18

Neil for me is the reason our sponsors and corporate supporters buy into the
club year after year because they feel assured of their money being used
exactly where they are told it will be, Neil is a man of integrity and wisdom and
as a club we are lucky to have him. Neil sacrifices more than most to be
involved and has lead our club to the position it is today. I am forever grateful
of the public meeting he arranged to see this club reform after it once folded
and plenty of lessons have been learned along the way because he is
involved.
Our club is one long learning curve, we won’t always get it right, we have to
change, adapt and learn from things we do but in having these two people
involved in our club among so many others shaping and carrying the vision of
Darlaston Town how can we not smash down the barriers and push our club to
the next level. I hope your’re all enjoying being around for the ride. In Monday’s
programme I will be talking about two other volunteers at Darlaston, both are
cornerstones, both are known to everyone, but they contribute to the club in
very different ways.
Keep those #darloaywe pics/comments/tweets coming because I love to see
them and your view of our club. Until next time remember “We’re Darlo FC
from the Black Country”
19

Introducing
Droitwich Spa F.C.
Droitwich Spa FC were formed in 1985 (originally as a Sunday side) playing in open age
football a8er an established successful Under 16's Droitwich Spa Boys side had no other
junior league to par?cipate in.
The club spent its early years in the Worcester Leagues and in 2000 joined the Midland
Combina?on Division 2 a8er three successful seasons at the top of the Worcester
Premier League.
The first season under the new name saw the club a.ain a respectable 7th placed midtable
finish. In their 3rd season (2002-03), the club finished 3rd - narrowly missing out
on promo?on, however four years later the Spa repeated that feat and with the
necessary facili?es in place were promoted into Division One. The first team remained
in Division One for the next seven seasons, mainly flir?ng with relega?on with an
occasional mid-table finish.
In 2004-05 season, Spa reached the Worcestershire Junior Cup Final for the first ?me in
their history, losing 1-0 to Bewdley Town. In the same season, a Droitwich Spa Reserve
team was started- compe?ng in Division Three of the Midland Combina?on. In season
2013-14, a8er a long yet eventually successful struggle against relega?on, the club did
the Cup Double - winning both the Worcestershire Junior Cup and the Evesham Nursing
Cup.
The club has been run and con?nues to be run today, by a group of volunteers. Without
these individuals vital work both on and off the field, the club could not have
func?oned. Pivotal names in the club’s recent history which will go down in Droitwich
Spa FC folklore and to whom a large debt of gra?tude is due- include (but is not limited
to): Dave and Nick West, Richard Goode, John Williamson, Andrew and Ben Pheasant,
Tom Goss, Tom Sanders, Chris Hartshorne, Andy Dyer and Barry Shuck.
A8er the FA restructure of the non-league football pyramid for the start of the 2014/15
season saw the Saltmen placed in the Midland Football League Division Two. A poor
start to the season culminated in Colin Rudge being replaced by the management team
of Worcester City legend Mark Owen and Wayne Oliver, who had previously
managed
20

at (amongst others) Pershore Town, Malvern Town and Bromyard Town.
When the new managers took over, they found the club at the foot of the table. In a
remarkable turnaround, the Saltmen ended the season in their highest ever league
posi?on (8th) and points tally (46) and reached the Worcestershire Junior Cup Semi
Finals only to be knocked out by local rivals Fairfield Villa.
At the end of the 2014/15 season the club decided to dissolve the struggling
Reserve side to focus all the club’s efforts on the fortunes of the first team. As a
result, the Saltmen achieved their highest ever finish in season 2015/16 - a very
creditable 3rd posi?on as well as winning silverware in two compe??ons.
In 2016/17, the club went one be.er, winning the Midland Football League Division
Two for the first ?me in its history ahead of Paget Rangers & Alvis Spor?ng.
However, the club were deducted 3 points a month a8er the season had finished
a8er a lengthy inves?ga?on & appeal process for "fielding an ineligible player". The
deduc?on was ironically just enough to send the Saltmen out of the promo?on
places by a single point and leaving them to remain in Division Two for another
season.
The club moved away from their home at King George Playing Field’s due to
proposed re-developments at the ground, and will con?nue to play home games at
Stourport Swi8s at Walshes Meadow in Stourport.
At the end of last season, the club finished in third place in the Total Mo?on
Midland Football League Division Two, runners-up in the Worcestershire Junior Cup
and made a first foray in to the FA Vase - eventually losing out in extra ?me in the
2nd Qualifying Round to Shifnal Town. The Saltmen also saw received 3 red cards in
a bad-tempered ?e and finished the game with only 8 players!
Club Honours:
Presidents Cup:
Pershore Hospital Cup:
Winners - 2015/16 Runner Up - 1992/93
Worcester League Premier Division:
Winners– 1996/97 1997/98,
Baylis Cup:
Winners-1997/98, 2002/3 (Reserves)
Worcester Nursing Junior Cup:
Winners- 1993/94, 2004/05, 2005/06, 2009/10 (Reserves) Runner Up-1997/98
Worcestershire Junior Cup:
Evesham Nursing Cup:
Winners- 2013/14 Winners- 2013/14, 2015/16
Runner Up- 2004/05, 2007/08, 2017/18
21

22

GMB Bir-
& West Midlands Region
Regional Secretary Joe Morgan
mingham
Will Thorne House, 2 Birmingham Road, HALESOWEN, B63 3HP
Tel 0121 550 4888 Fax 0121 550 4272
Email: joe.morgan@gmb.org.uk
Website www.gmb-westmids.org.uk
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Download it to your smartphone to get instant access to GMB on the move.
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• Update your GMB profile • Get the latest news from GMB
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23

The Season so Far
Staggeringly just three games into the season only two clubs in the Division boast a
100%record. One of those teams is us and the other today’s visitors Droitwich Spa who
have won their opening two games following their move from the Total Mo?on Midland
League.
Goals from Mike Seely, James Lemon (2) and Haydn Morris gave them an impressive
opening day 4-0 win at Sikh Hunters and last Saturday at Gornal Athle?c, Lemon was
again on the scoresheet, a penalty from Cur?s Townley completed the scoring in a 2-0
away win.
A8er an opening day draw at Wrens Nest, Worcester Raiders have bounced back with
two away wins. Ma.y Andrews and Chris Cornes got the goals in a 2-1 home win against
Wellington Amateurs and last weekend they were comfortable 5-2 winners at Claines
Lane against Wyrley United.
The students at Team Dudley are also unbeaten taking 7 points from their opening three
games. An opening day 2-1 home win against Telford Juniors was followed by an
impressive 3-0 win against Old Wulfs, Tyrone Clarke, Brad Cox and Vlad Lungo the
scorers. Last Saturday saw them lose their 100% record against Allsco. in a 2-2 draw
a8er going two goals down.
Local rivals Tipton Town have opened the season with a win, a loss and a draw. An
opening day 1-0 loss against Allsco. was followed by an impressive 2-2 draw against last
season’s runners up Newport Town, Rich Smith and TJ Davies the scorers. A Davies hat
trick and a brace from former Darlaston striker Sco. Broadway were the highlights in a
6-3 win last Saturday at Sikh Hunters.
The surprise so far is the form of last season’s runners up Newport Town and third
placed Old Wulfs. By their own high standards both clubs have made a faltering start.
We know it is only temporary and I fully expect both teams will be there or thereabouts
at the season’s end. Newport followed up their draw at Tipton Town with an
unexpected 2-1 away loss at Bromyard Town, who recorded their first points of the
season at the third a.empt. Wulfs had the meanest defence in the Division last season
conceding just 27 goals. They’ve already conceded 7 in three games, losing 3-0 at Sikh
Hunters and Team Dudley before recording their first points of the season in a 3-1 win
at Willenhall Town. A8er going a goal behind strikes from Dan Hadley and a brace from
Nathan Lodge sealed the win.
24

At the foot of the table Willenhall Town and Bustleholme both remain pointless
a8er two games. Bustleholme prop up the table following a 5-1 away defeat at the
hands of Wellington Amateurs and a 4-1 home defeat against ourselves. Willenhall
under former Gornal manager Ma. Fisher have also made a slow start with 3-1
defeats at the hands of Telford Juniors and Old Wulfs. Wrens Nest have drawn their
two opening games against Worcester Raiders and Telford Juniors respec?vely.
In the Premier Division Black Country Rangers and Tividale are the early pacese.ers.
With former Darlaston players Lucas Hough and Sam Giles amongst their ranks,
Rangers have made a blistering start with four successive wins scoring 15 goals and
conceding just 1 in the process. Three 4-0 wins against Bilston Town, Cradley Town
and Dudley Sports were followed up on Saturday with a 3-1 away win at Shrewsbury
based Haughmond who themselves had won their opening two games of the
season. Striker Kieran Clarke has already helped himself to 5 goals. Meanwhile
Tividale kept their 100% record a8er three games with a 7-1 trouncing of basement
club Bilston Town who remain pointless a8er 4 games.
Under new boss Dean Gill, Wolverhampton Casuals are in third spot with 3 wins and
a loss from their opening four games. Former Darlaston striker Kieran Miller helped
himself to an opening day hat trick in a 9-0 win against Wellington and currently
heads the Division’s scoring charts with 6 goals.
Un?l last weekend Herford Lads Club had won all three games they have played so
far, but last weekend they unexpectedly lost to AFC Bridgnorth who picked up their
first points of the season in a 2-1 away win.
In Division 2 just two teams have made a 100% winning start to the season. Cheslyn
Hay based Hawkins Sports lead the way with three consecu?ve wins against AFC
Bridgnorth, Oldbury United and Rock Rovers respec?vely.
The only other club with a 100% start are near neighbours FC Darlaston, managed
by former Darlaston player Nick Lewis. Several former Darlaston players are in his
squad; Aaron Morris, Ryan Stevens, Jake Robinson, Sam Baxter, Jay Handley, Josh
Cooper and Ash Walker. Lewis started his managerial career at this level with an
impressive 3-1 away win at Warstone Wanderers. Andre James (2) and Ward
Morgan finding the net. Tipton Town Reserves then visited Bentley Road South but
made the short journey home pointless following a 4-0 defeat. Morgan was again
on the scoresheet with a brace, Dion Davies and Patrick Burke also on the
scoresheet.
Tipton Town Reserves and Rock Rovers prop up the table, both pointless a8er two
games. Before the season even started Wonder Vaults dropped out of the League to
be replaced/taken over by AFC Bentley who will also play over the road in Bentley
Road South.
25

26

WMRL Division 1 Table
Pos P W D L GD Pts
1 Darlaston Town (1874) 3 3 0 0 5 9
2 Worcester Raiders 3 2 1 0 4 7
3 Team Dudley 3 2 1 0 4 7
4 Droitwich Spa 2 2 0 0 6 6
5 Tipton Town 3 1 1 1 2 4
6 Telford Juniors 3 1 1 1 1 4
7 Allsco. AFC 2 1 1 0 1 4
8 Wellington Amateurs 3 1 0 2 2 3
9 Wyrley 2 1 0 1 0 3
10 Bromyard Town 3 1 0 2 -1 3
11 Sikh Hunters 3 1 0 2 -4 3
12 Gornal Athle?c 3 1 0 2 -4 3
13 Old Wulfrunians 3 1 0 2 -4 3
14 Wrens Nest 2 0 2 0 0 2
15 Newport Town 2 0 1 1 -1 1
16 Willenhall Town 2 0 0 2 -4 0
17 Bustleholme 2 0 0 2 -7 0
Future Fixtures
Monday 27th August
Darlaston Town (1874) F.C.
vs
Tipton Town F.C.
Kick Off 3 pm
Saturday 1st September
Darlaston Town (1874) F.C.
vs
Warstone Wanderers F.C.
Kick Off 3 pm
27

DARLASTON TOWN (1874)
SQUAD LIST
Adonijah Allen
Connor Asbury
Daniel Bolzon
Sammy Causton
Luke Charlton
Liam Cox
Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell
Noah Diallo
Antony Follows
Jarrod Grant
Nathan Griffiths
Mason Hodgson
Nathan Jackson
Ryan Jones
Ryan Kingdon
Sam Lynex
Danny Mayne
Ryan McAllister
Ryan Pra
David Richards
Mar+n Stanton
Mark Swann
Leon Taylor
Joshua Tolley
Liam Whiaker
Gurdeep Wilkhoo
DROITWICH SPA
SQUAD LIST
Jack Allerton
Jonathan Brooks
Bradley Burgess
Mark Burrows
Besar Celaj
Daniel Corill
Andy Crowther
Henry Davis
Jack Davies
James Deeprose
Chris Glover
Sam Hawker
Mahew Hunt
James Lemon
Joe Mayo-Braiden
Callum Morris
Haydn Morris
Ma Oliver
Graeme Pardoe
Francis Rowlands
Cory Rudd
Mike Seeley
Joshua Szikora-Warmington
Ollie Thompson
Cur+s Townley
Management Team
Manager: Andy Parkes
Assistant Manager: Sco. Moore
Sports Therapist: Mike Howe
Physiotherapist: Aimee Clemson
Referee:
Mr Barry Priest
Assistants:
Mr Phil Felton
Mr Stephen New
Officials