On a wind-swept afternoon Darlaston welcomed Old Wulfrunians to the Paycare Ground for the first of the last five home games of the season. After last week’s postponement against Team Dudley and given the recent signings much was expected of Andy Parkes’ team this afternoon as they looked to extend their 11-game unbeaten run.

Once again Darlaston’s management duo changed their starting XI, in came Dan Elwell in goal after his return to the club this week, first choice keeper Liam Whittaker was unavailable due to work commitments, also Isaac Cooper returned, Jamie Holder made way and was relegated to the bench.

The match stated in very blustery conditions making passing very difficult at times, Old Wulf’s having the best of the opening exchanges, In the second minute Scott Stevenson’s curling free kick went narrowly wide after Darlaston captain Scott Glasby had fouled James Weaver just outside the area.
For all Old Wulf’s possession and slick passing they didn’t create anything always breaking down in the final third as Darlaston’s defence stood resolute.

After the opening 10 minutes Darlaston were getting to grips with the conditions and were starting to express themselves on the game forcing the first corner after 16 minutes.

Old Wulfrunians should have taken the lead after 20 minutes once again Scott Stevenson moving the ball out to forward James Weaver wide on the visitors left, his well delivered low cross was just beyond the onrushing attackers.

Two minutes later Old Wulf’s were behind. Darlaston’s midfield played a long ball to Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell, his defence splitting pass allowed Leon Taylor to power his way onto the ball beat a defender, a left foot chipped finish over the advancing Bostock converted Darlo’s first chance of the game, giving the League leaders the lead 1-0.

Isaac Cooper was settling well into his new role at the base of the midfield, a 50-yard inch perfect ball to the feet of the on rushing Clarke-O’Connell whose pace allowed him to beat his defender, but his tame finish was dealt with easily the Old Wulf’s keeper.

Old Wulfrunians came back at the home side, Tom Ray heading over from a wide free kick, and Jake Pearson just failed to make contact with a diving header from another Weaver cross from the left.
The game opened up towards the half-time interval, Ryan Jones’ pass found Clarke-O’Connell in space in front of Old Wulf’s back three, his pacey run ended with a 20-yard shot blocked by a last-ditch covering challenge from the visitor’s captain Tom Ray.

Darlaston doubled their lead on 40 minutes, a touch of class from Cooper again, a measured lofted pass behind the visitor’s defence was well controlled by Taylor on the run, his touch putting him in the perfect position to beat Bostock rolling the ball to his right into the net for his second goal of the afternoon and his 26th of the season.

As both sides left the pitch for the half time break, neither side would have been happy with their performance, Darlaston were below par compared to recent weeks, and Old Wulfrunians should have done more with their possession.

Darlaston started the second half with a bang, Daniel Bolzon rattling the joint where the bar and post meet in the 48th minute, Clarke=O’Connell had a stinging drive blocked a minute later, the League leaders were looking to increase their lead. Bolzon again forced keeper Bostock into action to save another effort in the 52nd minute.

It was not all Darlaston though, as in the first half, the Old Wulf’s midfield duo of Scott Stevenson and Jake Pearson were at the centre of the victor’s good play, their thoughtful running and neat decisive passing was allowing forwards Weaver and Agnello to get more into the game, Weaver blasting just wide on 56 minutes.

Isaac Coopers unselfish run at great pace from just inside the visitors half finished at the by=line after beating three defenders on the way, his stood-up cross was just dealt with before Leon Taylor could complete his hat-trick.

Old Wulf’s had the ball in the net in the 67th minute substitute Nathan Lodge finishing from 10 yards, but fortunately for the home side was adjudged to be offside to the relief of the home faithful.

As both managers made their substitutions the game became disjointed and stretched, the visitors were the ones that took the advantage, but Darlaston’s defensive line of Causton, Glasby, Charlton and Jones stood firm, with Elwell only having a single save to make.

As the final whistle blew Darlaston kept their position at the top of the Division with a 2-0 win and in doing so broke the Club’s record for the longest unbeaten run 12 games, 11 of which were wins.

Was todays performance good, no, but would they have taken the 2-0 score line before the game yes, with eight games to go till the end of the season, performances don’t win games, goals do and that’s all that matters at the business end of the season.

Next Saturday Darlaston are once again at the Paycare Ground when Telford Juniors travel from their Shropshire base for a 2 pm kick off.