Darlaston Town returned to the Paycare Stadium for their first home game of the New Year to welcome Uttoxeter Town. The game was so important for both teams as they are looking to occupy the play-offs places at the end of the season.

Manager, Dean Gill made a single change to his starting lineup after last weeks win at Tividale, Tom Cotton dropping to the bench to be replaced by Rivel Mardenborough. Leo Gil and Dominic Perkins were on the bench in place of the injured Jake Pearson and Tom Hurdman who left the club this week.

Darlaston start the game at a frenetic pace winning four corners in the opening minutes, one of which resulted in an Aaron Bishop header, hitting the post which if it would have gone in been a dream start for the home club.

As both teams grew into the game. It was fairly obvious that both defences would be on top, and despite all of Darlaston‘s probing from midfield, they could not breach the excellence Uttoxeter defence.

The visitors had a huge attacking weapon with the long throws from right back, Tom Thorley which over the course of the game provided more than 15 set piece opportunities with Thorley’s ability to reach Darlaston’s penalty area from anywhere within the half sometimes reaching well into the home sides 6-yard box. Despite the pressure Podmore, Foreshaw, Gil and Jones together with keeper. Tom Allsopp dented the opportunities that were created.

Uttoxeter’s best efforts of the first half, saw Ruben Kenny‘s long range shot from 25 yards well saved by Allsopp, Ben Price shot wide when well-placed and Rob Thorley headed over in the 25th minute.

For Darlaston, Mardenborough’s acrobatic effort from 18 yards went wide of Charlie Woods. You just keep us Charlie Woods, right hand post.

Ironically, the visitors best opportunity of the first half felt to Ben Price, in the 28 minutes following another Tom Thorley throw in Price had two efforts on goal, the first blocked and the second saved thanks to extremely brave goalkeeping by Allsopp, who dived at Price’s feet to block a shot, just inside the 6 yard box.

The visitors were very well organised, their defence solid, the two Thorley brothers at full back, along with the outstanding, Eric Graves and Reuben Kenny, with Dan Harper patrolling in front of the back four, protecting their keeper, Charlie Wood from making any saves. Darlaston midfield was driven by Liam Wilkinson and Ryan Winwood, who had an outstanding first half allowing Downing and Rowland to run at the visitors.

Both sides must have gone off at the half time interval well pleased with their first half performances. Both teams were fully committed making this a hard-fought battle, players from both sides, carrying knocks and injuries not caused with malicious intent but through the hard physical nature of the game as no one took a step back at all.

The second half was very much the same as the first Darlaston started quickly, forcing to scrambles within the Uttoxeter penalty area, but the ball would just not fall to any Darlaston player in space for an effort on goal.

After 62 minutes Allsopp’s timely punch did enough to deflect the ball off the head of Conlon, the visitors top scorer. Six minutes the home side broke quickly a fantastic first time Crossfield ball from Rowlands landed at the feet of the on rushing Downing, his control was faultless as was his well hit cross, a full stretch Tom Thorley clearance was vital with Bishop, waiting at the far post to score.

In the last 15 minutes the game opened up as both managers were forced into changes and players got tired. Darlaston lost the ball on the edge of their penalty area, following the corner in 73rd minute. Rob Thorley took advantage driving into the penalty area and his powerful left footed shot was well saved by Tom Allsopp at full stretch, five minutes later, James Rowland clipped the outside of the visitors post with a curling effort from the edge of the penalty area.

Darlaston broke the hearts of Uttoxeter with an 88th minute winner from midfielder Ryan Wynwood. His outstanding finish came after another quick Darlaston attack. Resulting in a Bishop cross which substitute Kieran Miller headed back into Winwood’s path. From 25 yards his driven first time strike entered the goal via the inside of Wood’s right hand post to send Darlaston’s players, and supporters into raptures.

The goal was crew on Uttoxeter because neither team deserved to lose.

But with another 8 minutes remaining included added on time the game which was not yet finished. The visitors, three minutes into injury time as a huge penalty appeal turned down by the referee for a Podmore handball which could have gone either way.

As the final whistle blew both teams left the field the home side victorious but for those us that were there, we all know what a fully committed full bloodied game this was every player gave their all there all in a fantastic advert for non-league football.

Darlaston‘s next game is Wednesday evening against Feckenham in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup kick off 7.45 pm, their next league fixture is against fourth placed Highgate United at the Paycare Stadium next Saturday afternoon kick off 3pm another key game for both clubs and we hope to seeing as many Darlaston supporters as possible for both games.