Boss Dean Gill made two changes from the side that lost to AFC Wulfrunians on Boxing Day. Former youth team player Tom Cottam making his full debut and full back Josh Jones returning after a two-month absence. Kieran Miller and Rivel Mardenborough reverting to the bench.

The Tividale ground staff had worked wonders to get the game played, despite their tremendous efforts they could do little to disperse the heavy rainfall over the past two weeks, the pitch playing very heavy in places. Both teams acclimatising to the conditions extremely well to entertain the crowd with some excellent football.

Darlaston started the game well, taking the lead on 11 minutes with a superb goal from 18 yards. Jack Downing's cross field pass found James Rowland 25 yards out, Rowland cut inside his defender to unleash a superb curling shot into Louis Connor's top left-hand corner, giving the keeper no chance.

The pace and skill of Cottam and Downing on both flanks was causing difficulties for the home defence whilst at the other end Taylor Townsend and Ewan Wright were equally as impressive.

Despite having the better of the possession, the visitors could not capitalise, and it was Tividale who missed a glorious chance to equalise on 18 minutes. Townsend setting up former Darlaston favourite Dom Dell, the striker shooting inches wide from 18 yards, with keeper Tom Allsopp racing from his line to put the striker under pressure to shoot early.

Clear chances for either side were few and far between, by far the best chance falling to Darlaston striker Aaron Bishop who poked the ball wide from three yards.

Darlaston had the better possession and half chances in the first 45 minutes, but without putting too much pressure on the home goal, going into the half time break with a single goal lead.

If Darlaston started the first half on the front foot, it was Tividale who made the better start to the second half. Darlaston keeper Allsopp keeping out a Taylor Townsend 16-yard drive with an outstretched leg.

The game became a midfield battle. Ryan Winwood and Liam Wilkinson were superb for the visitors whilst Joe Burroughs and Zac Kourouyianni impressing for the home side. Rowland's work rate and chasing down kept the Tividale defenders on their toes, with Townsend and Lewis Wright prompting and probing in an effort to breach a strong and well marshalled visitors defence.

Tividale could not create a chance of note, indeed, it was the introduction of Darlaston substitutes Kieran Miller and Rivel Mardenborough which saw the visitors create the better chances.

In a carbon copy of Dell's first half miss, Bishop missed a glorious chance to double the visitors lead, when shooting wide with only Connor to beat.

In the final 20 minutes Mardenborough and Miller both found space down the flanks, Mardenborough on three occasions and Miller twice, crossing into the box or driving across the face of goal without finding a team mate to convert.

Darlaston defended stoutly an in numbers to thwart Tividale, who were pressing hard for an equaliser. With just minutes remaining, a Tividale short corner was cleared some 40 yards by Bishop, and substitute debutant Dan Noke played Miller in a for a 30-yard foot race, Miller beat his defender for pace, cut inside the penalty area, before curling the ball beyond Connor in the Tividale goal.

After the game Darlaston manger Dean Gill reflected. "Firstly, congratulations to Tividale and their ground staff for getting the game on following some torrential rain over the past ten days or so. I thought both sets of players did their club and managers proud today. The pitch was heavy in places but the fitness, work rate and quality of both teams was impressive. Tividale's performance today belies their league position and we had to graft for 95 minutes to come away with the win.

We had a couple of players, Tom Allsopp and Aaron Bishop who both played through illness, and both were excellent today. I was delighted with Josh Jones who played his first game for two months. He has been unable to train properly in that time, but his natural fitness level and will to win was a delight to see today. Every player had to dig deep today, and they did. I am delighted with them all, including the substitutes who all made positive contributions. I am sure Stuart (Tividale manager) is also delighted with his players who gave 100% for the shirt today,

After two defeats over the Christmas period, it was imperative to make a positive start to 2024. Our next three league games are against teams in the top eight, so it was essential we got over the line today."