In their first ever foray into the Smedley Crook Memorial Cup Darlaston edged into the second round with a late winner against a very impressive Feckenham side.

Darlaston boss Dean Gill made eight changes from the side that beat Bewdley Town against their Midland league Division Three opponents.

It was evident from the opening minute why the Worcestershire based side are unbeaten in their last 13 league games going back to October 2023. They were organised, quick, talented and demonstrated a superb work rate and team ethic. In Will Skelton and Josh Bowen they had two lively strikers who kept the home defence on their toes for 90 minutes.

Darlaston had to dig deep and in the end a late Jack Downing goal was enough to separate the sides.

Feckenham opened brightly giving their higher league opposition plenty to think about as they passed the ball around well on an excellent playing surface. It was slightly against the run of play when the home side took the lead on 16 minutes. A glorious 25 yard free kick from youngster Tom Cottam finding the top roof of the net, keeper Adam Watson getting his finger tips to it, but unable to keep it out.

Darlaston were indebted to teenage keeper Harvey Coley who made an excellent save from Skelton pushing the strikers 10 yard shot on the turn, around the post.

The game became a midfield battle, neither side giving an inch in a competitive and at times enthralling encounter.

On the hour mark Darlaston made five substitutions Ryan Winwood, Lewis Gill, Harry Chesterton, James Rowland and Jack Downing, the substitutions injecting more pace and speed of pass to Darlaston's forward play.

Feckenham's deserved equaliser came on 83 minutes, Skelton rounding off a superb move with a vicious strike high into the net, Coley's desperate dive high to his left unable to save an unstoppable shot.

With the game looking to go to penalties Downing popped up to drive home the winner from 22 yards, after Watson had punched away a Gill corner.

Following the game boss Gill reflected " I am delighted and relieved to get through against an excellent Feckenham team. I needed to give several players some good quality game time, so I made several changes which left us a little disjointed at times. Take nothing away from Feckenham they would have given us a difficult game had we been at full strength. If you go 13 games unbeaten then you know they will be well organised and full of quality. We did not underestimate them, that said they were much better than you would expect from a Division Three team, and I have no doubt they will go through the Divisions if they keep the core of that side together.

I felt the side I put out was good enough to win and whilst we were not great tonight, we take the win and move on."