Today Darlaston welcomed the reigning Division Two West Midlands Champions to The Paycare Ground this afternoon as Darlaston returned to League action.The management duo of Andy Parkes and Scott Moore made changes once again to the starting line-up, six changes in all from last weeks J.W. Hunt Cup win.

It was evident from the off, Sikh Hunters cheered on by a large away contingent were looking to dominate and bully the home side at every opportunity. The victors started the game at a whirlwind pace, Hinesh Patel forcing home keeper Ryan Pratt into a save in the first 30 seconds.

Sikh Hunters took the lead after 4 minutes, midfielder Mitch Lawley following up after a Ryan Pratt save from a Hinesh Patel effort to finish into an empty net, 1-0 to Hunters
Darlaston’s first chance of the game was a Daniel Bolzon left footed effort from 20 yards that forced Haynes into a save.

The atmosphere created by the victors and their supporters was one of hostility, and Darlaston looked shell shocked, struggling to string three passes together and gifting Hunters the ball very cheaply.

Another Bolzon effort was saved by the busy Haynes, Danny Mayne just failing to reach the follow up after Hunters keeper’s save.

Hunters were creating their own chances with Pratt as equally busy as the visitor’s keeper, saving from the impressive Hinesh Patel and captain Sanjay Mathi.

Darlaston equalised in the 16th minute, a free kick from the home side left, was not cleared by the Hunters defence, Ant Follows produced an outstanding volley which hit the bar and Danny Mayne was on hand to force the ball home to level the scores at 1-1.

It was I the 21st minute Sikh Hunters were reduced to 10 men. After a 50/50 tackle in midfield which left Darlaston defender Luke Charlton on the floor, play continued out to the visitors left. An Alex Solomon tackle on Danny Bell, saw Bell ending up standing over the Darlaston midfielder holding him down. In the melee that followed Bell threw at least three punches, none of them connecting, which was enough for Referee Adam Mullins to produce a Red card after consultation with his assistant. Also, Darlaston’s Sam Causton was shown a yellow card for his part in the incident.

The remainder of the half, so the game take place in a congested midfield, both sides giving away free kicks.

The injury to Charlton forced the Darlaston management into a substitution after 40 minutes as Charlton could not continue. Also, just before half-time Darlaston suffered another blow, Daniel Bolzon pulling up with a pulled groin requiring a second substitution inside 4 minutes for the home side.

Darlaston’s management team had plenty to do during the half-time interval, rarely do you see a Darlaston team dominated by an away team at home and with the two late enforced changes some re-organisation would have been necessary.

The second half started much as the first ended, the home side second to everything, Sikh Hunters were on the front foot. In the 58th minute they re-took the lead, keeper Ryan Pratt bringing down Mitch Lawley after allowing the ball to bounce in the area. Up stepped Hunters captain Mathi his well struck penalty was saved by Ryan Pratt, the home defence were once again too slow and top scorer Justin Nisbett to pass the ball into an empty net.

Hunters deserved the lead, but 7 minutes later the scores were level. Darlaston were starting to play having their best spell of the game. An exchange between Sam Causton and Danny Mayne ended in Mayne crossing deep from wide on the right where Alex Solomon was ready at the far post to score.

Just two minutes later Sikh Hunters were back in front, Darlaston’s defence could not clear the ball once again, when the ball finally left the penalty area if fell perfectly for substitute Tom Oldaker to produce a spectacular right foot volley to beat keeper Pratt 3-2 to Sikh Hunters.

Darlaston huffed and puffed for the remainder of the half, creating no clear-cut chances even after Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell made his first appearance of the season off the sub’s bench.

On the balance of play Sikh Hunters deserved the points, they came with a plan and executed it perfectly, dominating the game at every opportunity. Darlaston didnt help their cause struggling to build any momentum and during the 90 minutes they created very few clear cut chances.

Next week Darlaston travel to top of the table Team Dudley.