At the impressive Acoustafoam Stadium, on an excellent playing surface, both sides played some excellent football in an often tense and enthralling game which ended all square. The result keeps the play off hopes of both clubs alive.

Darlaston got off to the worst possible start conceding a needless penalty after just four minutes. Midfielder Ryan Winwood was ushering the ball out of play under pressure from Jack Hodnett, Hodnett won the ball and in an attempt to win it back Winwood tripped Hodnett on the goal line. Mikey Nelson stepped up to convert and give the home side an early lead.

Both teams were subject to some bizarre decisions from the officials, which stemmed the flow of play.

The Shifnal front free of Joe Cuff Mikey Nelson and Jez Abbey were lively and busy but were contained by the Darlaston back four of Josh Jones, Harry Chesterton, Alex Foreshaw and Ben Podmore. For the visitors Aaron Bishop and Jack Downing were causing problems for the home defence whilst Mith Botfield and Ryan Winwood impressed in midfield.

The game was nip and tuck, both sides creating half chances for Jarman and Bishop respectively, comfortably saved by the keepers Yankuba Colley and Tom Allsopp, neither side was able to dominate or have periods of prolonged pressure.

The quality of football was excellent, played in a good spirit every player giving their all. Jake Pearson and James Rowland combined, Rowland's right wing cross finding met by Bishop's glancing header, Colley making an excellent one handed save. Bishop returned the compliment, winning the ball on the touchline his cross finding the head of Rowland who could not quite direct his 6-yard header on target.

For the home side, former Bristol Rovers midfielder Kyle Bennett impressed as did Jack Hodnett, both always looking to get the ball forward. Shifnal defender Lewis Jarman created an excellent opportunity for himself beating two defenders across the edge of the box before shooting from 16 yards, keeper Allsopp with an excellent save low to his right, pushing the ball to safety.

However, the better chances were falling to the visitors Jack Downing whose header failed to find the net.

A deserved equaliser came on 41 minutes, a Winwood free kick was headed on by Podmore into the path of Foreshaw who for a central defender superbly finished with a deft flick over the Shifnal keeper.

The second half was as enjoyable and impressive as the first half. Cuff forced Allsopp into a comfortable save, whilst for the visitors Downing pulled the ball down from height before driving wide across the face of goal.

In the space of ten seconds two pieces of superb Darlaston defending prevented the home side from regaining the advantage. From a Shifnal corner, keeper Allsopp punched the ball into the path of substitute Tom Hill whose shot was superbly headed off the line by full back Josh Jones, the ball falling to Cuff whose 10-yard goalbound shot was again cleared off the line by Jone's outstretched foot.

At the other end substitutes Rivel Mardenborough, Kieron Miller and Tom Cottee all had chances which were easily saved or went wide. With just five minutes left it was the visitors who thought they had grabbed the points. The impressive Bishop rattling a thunderbolt of a shot against the bar with keeper Colley looking on.

After the game Darlaston boss Dean Gill reflected- " That was exhausting. An excellent game of football, played in a good spirit by two very good teams who gave their all. The pitch was in excellent condition, both sides playing some really good stuff. We know Shifnal are a very strong side and they still have play off ambitions, so today was always going to be a difficult game and that is exactly how it turned out. They have an excellent front three and then can bring on players of the quality of Josh Hesson and Tom Hill who are both prolific at this level.
All of my players worked their socks off today and played their part in a very enjoyable game. My two centre halves never had a moments peace, but I thought Poddy (Ben Podmore) and Alex (Foreshaw) were outstanding today, Young full back Harry (Chesterton)) and Josh (Jones) who is getting fitter by the day after his long layoff, were excellent both in defence and going forward. Bish (Aaron Bishop) kept up to three Shifnal defenders busy for long periods.

Overall, a draw was a fair result I thought. Neither team dominated or had prolonged spells of pressure. I am satisfied with a point against a very good Shifnal side. They still have Congleton and Highgate to play at home, and I believe they could have a say in the title race as well as both their own and others, play off ambitions."