To the outsider 0-0 usually means a boring goalless draw. In this clash of 3rd v 4th near the top of the Midland Football League Premier Division, nothing could be further from the truth. The crowd witnessed a thriller between two very good teams, both striving to keep their play-off hopes alive. Chances galore for Darlaston Town, two stone wall penalties turned down, one for each side and a sending off all added to the fantastic entertainment at The Paycare Stadium.

Midweek signing Jason Wood from Tividale made his debut in the absence of Ryan Winwood, this being the only change from the Darlaston side that beat Romulus 4-2 on Wednesday evening.

Darlaston made much the brighter start, their opening 45 minutes performance, as good as they have played in the last couple of months.
Numerous chances went begging, Aaron Bishop, Rivel Mardenborough, Mitch Botfield all had opportunities to put the home side ahead in the opening 15 minutes, but excellent keeping by Brendon Bunn, coupled with excellent blocks or blocked tackles by Sam Walton and Taylor Eades somehow kept the ball out of the Studley net.

Zac Guinan and Romario Martin both impressed upfront for the visitors but the superb home defence ensured they did not have a clear effort on goal as keeper Tom Allsopp was a virtual spectator for most of the half.

Full backs Harry Chesterton and Josh Jones both excelled in their defensive and attacking duties whilst James Rowland and Botfield were inches from netting the opening goal.

As the home side continued to enjoy the lion's share of possession, particularly in the visitors half it seemed only a matter of time before the home side took the lead. They thought they had a glorious opportunity to do so when Bishop was tripped as he bore down on goal. Probably the only person on the ground not to think it was a penalty was the referee, as he waved away the loud appeals much to the disbelief of everyone else on the ground.

On 31 minutes Studley were reduced to 10 men. A heavy challenge from behind by Harry Eden on James Rowland created a melee near the halfway line, with 10 players all involved. After consulting his Assistant and a few minutes delay, the Referee eventually sent Eden from the field of play.

Darlaston continued to put more pressure on the over worked visitors defence, Mardenborough and Bishop again with golden opportunities only to be thwarted by Bunn, with an outstretched leg to deny Bishop and a Mardenborough shot across the face of goal going inches wide.
Even before the sending off Darlaston had much the better of the half, yet despite their first half pressure they simply could not find the net, Bunn superb in the visitors goal with Sam Walton and Harry Lake, magnificent as they ensured a goalless scoreline at half time.

The second half saw Darlaston dominant for long periods, but they continued to come up against an excellent well organised defence, Bunn saving with his legs at point blank range from Botfield, Bishop having a shot blocked, and Mardenborough hitting a ferocious 20 yard drive inches wide. Substitute Kieron Miller also created two good opportunities, but it was not to be his day, both efforts blocked.

It seemed to be only a matter of time before Darlaston broke down a resilient and impressive Studley, but as the game progressed it seemed more and more likely that Darlaston were not going to break the deadlock, as Studley's confidence grew, and Finn Holmes and John Mills got forward more and more.

For the second time in the game, the referee, waved away strong penalty appeals. This time for the visitors. Jake Pearson knocking clumsily knocking over Romario Martin from behind. Despite loud Studley protestations the referee again waved play on.
As the game entered its final stages, after being set up by Bishop, Mardenborough had a ten yard shot cleared off the line, the ball falling to Miller, but his cross was easily cleared.

Darlaston keeper Tom Allsopp did not have a single save of note to make all game, but it is goals that win games, and Darlaston could not take any of their chances, visiting keeper Bunn and his resilient defenders, ensuring the game ended all square.

Following the game Darlaston boss Dean Gill reflected "Obviously I am disappointed that we could not get over the line today, but I could not be any prouder of my players today. I have immense respect for Studley and Mike Fowler their manager, they are a brilliant club and Mike is a fantastic manager who has put together an excellent team. So, for us to play so well, have the lion's share of possession, create so many good chances and deny them a single clear chance is very pleasing. The first half was as good as we have played in a while to a man everyone did their job today, I thought Jason (Wood) had a good debut and young full back Harry Chesterton again impressed.

Even before the sending off we were on top and could have been 2 or 3 goals to the good. The fact we weren't is both frustrating and bemusing to me. Funnily enough we seemed to find it harder against 10 men than we did against 11. Mike got his team superbly set up and galvanised in the second half, they frustrated and thwarted us, and you have to give them credit for that.

This game was never going to settle a play-off spot for either of us, so I guess that both Mike and myself would have taken a point before the game."