Darlaston Town exited the JW Hunt Cup on penalties having been beaten by Midland Football League fellow MFL Premier Division outfit Stone Old Alleynians.

Darlaston’s manager Dean Gill made three changes to the side that beat Wombourne Allstars in the First Round the JW Hunt Cup with Alex Foreshaw and Jack Downing replacing Josh Jones and Ben Priest who dropped to the bench and a debut was given to new signing Lewis Landers from Coleshill Town.

The teams had met less than a month ago in a league fixture at the Paycare Stadium and historically games between the two clubs have always been tight affairs and this match was no different.

The visitors took early control of the midfield and forward areas, forcing Darlaston to attack on the break. The home sides situation was not helped with key injuries to centre half Ben Podmore and forward Rivel Mardenborough early on in the game and Mardenborough was forced to be replaced in the 17th minute. His replacement Louis Baker opened the scoring. An inch perfect cross from Jack Downing, allowed Baker to power his header from 8 yards past Gill to give Darlaston the lead. Stone Old Alleynians responded well, prompted by player/manager Luke Askey along with Giancarlo De Stefano and David Ablewight in midfield. Jack Tomlinson as always was a threat holding the ball up and bringing his fellow team mates into play, but despite Stones probing, Darlaston’s midfield and defensive line repelled all of their efforts with Foreshaw and Podmore having to work hard with the forward two of Tomlinson and William Lloyd.

Stone equalised after 25 minutes, Joe Baxter scoring after a Stone long throw wasn’t cleared by the home defence right back Baxter at the far post scored via the bar and post.

At the half-time interval Stone made three changes one of which allowed manager Luke Askey to direct operations from the touchline.

The three changes had an impact on the game making Stone much more robust and they took the lead in the 71st minute, forward Tomlinson who had worked tirelessly all night was able to block an attempted clearance, his measured pass to William Lloyd allowed him to finish past the static Landers to give Stone the lead.

Going behind re-energised Darlaston who found it difficult to break down a resolute stone side. In the first minute of injury time referee Mountain adjudged Stone defender to have handled the ball in the penalty area and James Rowland stepped up to beat keeper Gill from the penalty spot, taking the game to penalties which Darlaston once again exited a competition having been beaten 4-1 on penalties with Stone scoring all of their spot kicks and only James Rowland scoring for Darlaston.

Darlaston therefore exited the third competition of the season, and it is quite ironic that within 90 minutes Darlaston are unbeaten in all cup competitions this season.

On Saturday the club welcome Northwick Victoria to the Paycare Stadium in an MFL league game and Darlaston’s next cup game is next Tuesday evening with a trip to Hednesford Town in The Walsall Senior Cup.