A poor defensive performance saw Darlaston concede five goals for the first time in nearly 3 and a half years. The last time being in October 2020, losing 5-0 at Wolverhampton Sporting.

Central defender Ben Podmore and Jack Downing continue to be less than 100% fit, both taking their place on the substitutes bench.

The home side took an early lead. Isai Marselia heading home a left wing corner unopposed. Despite the early set back the visitors composed themselves , Jake Pearson eventually shooting wide following an excellent move involving Rivel Mardenborough and James Rowland.

Darlaston were playing neat controlled football, with Romulus always looking dangerous on the break, Fin Douglas impressive down the left flank, with Marselia proving to be a handful. Following a spell of Darlaston pressure the equaliser came following an excellent four man move down the right on 25 minutes. Ryan winwood laid off to james Rowland who set Jake Pearson clear, Person's first time cross into the box being met by Aaron Bishop who clipped home from 5 yards , nipping in between defender and keeper Gwiliam.

On 36 minutes Romulus went ahead for the second time. Darlaston lost the ball in the Romulus half, the home side breaking with pace courtesy of Jack Sang who fed Callum Thorp, his pin point cross finding Ryan Nesbitt at the near post, again unopposed, the striker glancing his header beyond keeper Tom Allsopp.

Darlaston were playing some good football but in the absence of kingpin central defender Ben Podmore, looked suspect at the back. The visitors should've equalised Mardenborough failing to connect with a header when two yards out. The equaliser did come two minutes before the break. A Harry Chesterton cross into the box, was flicked on by Bishop, and handled by a Romulus defender. James Rowland confidently stepped up to convert the resulting penalty.

The home side restablished the lead for the third time on 50 minutes, Marselia with his second goal of the game. Keeper Allsopp making a fine save low to his right, which rebounded into the path of Marselia, Allsopp again saving the striker's effort, the ball rebounding into the air for the striker to head home. from 4 yards.

Within two minutes Darlaston fell further behind, Marselia completing his hat trick. A long hopeful ball into the box eventually falling to Marselia who swivelled and turned home a 12 yard shot into the far corner of the net.

Darlaston's response was immediate. Within 20 seconds of the restart they had halved the arrears, the ball was played to Rowland, his right wing cross met by Rivel Mardenborough to loop the ball over the advancing Gwilliam from 12 yards.

In an effort to change the pace and attacking style of his team Darlaston boss Dean Gill made a double substitution Jack Downing and Kieron Miller brought on to add speed and power to the forward line. Unfortunately for the voisitors, Miller had to leave the field within two minutes following a nasty injury.

After being behind for much of the game, the visitors were again on level terms on 65 minutes. Downing's flick setting up Bishop who netted his econd goal of the game with a deft lob over Gwilliam.

Darlaston grew in confidence and had chances to win the game. A powerful twenty yard effort from Bishop going wide, Mardenborough, Rowland and Downing all having efforts blocked or saved.

Not for the first time, Darlaston's defensive frailties were exposed in the final minute of the game. A Nesbitt free kick from inside the Darlaston half was headed back across goal into the path of Sam Paddock who headed home unopposed fron six yards, wrong footing keeper Allsopp for the Romulus winner.