After the FA Cup exploits over the past eight days the last thing Darlaston needed was a long trip into deepest Shropshire yesterday to face fourth placed Whitchurch Allport playing nearly 30-degree heat on a pitch with no shade.

Manager, Dean Gill made three changes to the starting lineup form Wednesday evening’s game in came new signing Tom, Turton, Ronee, Hendricks and James Roland, with Kalo Harrison, Lewis, Gill, and Liam Wilkinson, all moving to the bench.

The opening 15 minutes produced very little, a slightly scrappy battle, both teams giving the bal away cheaply in midfield, and certainly both defences looked untroubled. But just as Darlaston’s host were looking like they were taking control, Darlaston struck with a well manufactured opening goal in the 17th minute.

From a quick Rawlings throw in Darlaston’s is left-hand side, Louis, Bakers run in behind Whitchurch’s right back saw him pull the ball back to ex Whitchurch midfielder James Rawlings, his pinpoint cross was rifled into the top corner by Aaron Bishop’s right foot, giving Darlaston a dream start.

The goal certainly put Darlaston in ascendancy for the remainder of the half, and for the reminder of the Hough they seemed in control of the fixture of the game, defensively and certainly going forward. Whitchurch Allport had one outstanding individual attempt on goal in the first half, centre forward Alex Hughes who after receiving the ball with his back to goal turned and his well struck curling left footed strike hit the outside of the post.

Just before the half time interval Darlaston went down to 10 men, the last thing they needed in the heat when Ben Podmore was harshly sent off by referee Alex, Shaw, for pushing Whitchurch’s Matty Birchall, away from Aaron Bishop.

Following the halftime interval manager, Dean Gill, changed his team’s formation moving Josh Jones into a central defensive role.

The second half was a totally different affair with Whitchurch Allport, virtually camped in Darlaston half they created very few chances of any note, keeper Will O’Sulivan pulled of a “worldee” save, somehow managing to push a point-blank header from the home side over the bar.

The home side were dealt a blow when influential midfielder, Ryan Allcock was sent off for two yellow cards when he high kicked substitute Louis Gill in the chest on 70 minutes, leaving both sides to play with 10 men for the remaining 20 minutes of the game.

Darlaston’s well organised defence were able to rebuff any Whitchurch Alport’s attempts to level the score, and two minutes into injury time Darlaston secured all three points with a second goal.

After a headed clearance substitute, Liam Wilkinson after spotting Harrison’s run from deep way in Darlaston’s half, Wilkinson’s slide rule pass into the path of advancing Kalo Harrison who received the ball 10 yards into the opposition’s half, Harison calmly and neatly dispatched the ball into the bottom right hand corner to secure Darlaston’s second league win of the league season.

What a fantastic end to one hell of a week, a week when every player has stood up and given their all for each other and the club. The desire and willingness to work so hard for each other is nothing but incredible. Yesterday there were some real standout performers, but that would be unfair on everyone else because it was another herculean effort to play another 50 minutes with 10 men after the two FA Cup games.

The games keep coming, next up is a huge local derby against Dudley Town at the Guardian Warehousing Arena on Tuesday evening kick off 7.45 pm.

We hope that some supporters that came to watch the game last Wednesday at the Paycare Stadium will make the 3-mile journey across to Noose Lane Willenhall to support Dean Gill and his squad. Further details of the fixture will be published tomorrow.