BEWDLEY Town’s Ribbesford Meadows ground is set to welcome international action when they host a game between an England under-18s side and Australia.

The Meadows will be the venue for when the Independent Schools Football Association for Girls (ISFAG) will see their under-18s side tackle their Antipodean counterparts on Saturday, January 30 (10.30am kick-off) in a friendly clash.

It will be the first time that an international game in any shape or form will have been hosted by the West Midlands League Premier Division outfit.

Town’s reputation as having one of the most well-equipped grounds at their level of football preceded them when chairman Geoff Edwards was contacted by the ISFAG about hosting the match.

A delighted Edwards said: “We always try to help out organisations when we can and it’s always nice to stage an international game.”

The ISFAG are associated with the Independent Schools Association and also affiliated with football’s governing body, the FA.

The organisation has been conceived as a non-profit body to oversee the development and running of Girls’ Football in Independent Schools, at both Senior and Prep School Level.

Meanwhile, Town will be without goalkeeper and coach Darren Steadman for 34 days after he was given a ban by the FA for an incident in October while he was coaching with Bewdley’s under-18s.

With the and first choice Tom Harper suspended, Craig Ladek started Tuesday night’s 4-2 league defeat at Darlaston Town, which was their first match since November 21.

Town dominated the early spells of play. After hitting both the bar and post, it was Bewdley who would score first.

Famous for its harsh slope, Waverley Road would indeed have the say in the runnings of the game and Grant Joshua used this to his advantage to place the ball past the Darlaston keeper.

Shortly after, Darlaston equalised, and took the lead minutes later, much to the frustration of Bewdley joint manager Craig Payton.

The game was seemingly over when a controversial offside wasn’t spotted by the linesman, and Darlaston went on to score their third.

Russell Godfrey pulled one back for Bewdley, and a late comeback seemed promising.

This was quashed however when Gavin Smith brought down a Darlaston player in the box, and the penalty was converted.

Payton said: “We didn’t look fit. We haven’t played in nine weeks and it’s the worst ground to play at in the league. They know how to play it.”

Town now turn their attentions to title-chasing Bustleholme in the league on Saturday at Ribbesford Meadows (3pm kick-off).