The last seven days have highlighted the ecstasy and agony that every football fan, player and official go through and why so many people love this game of ours.

Last Saturday afternoon a late penalty secured three points against Dudley Town, on Wednesday evening a penalty shoot out victory against West Bromwich Albion Under 23s saw Darlaston Town travel up the M6 to Northwich Victoria on a high. The agony came as they conceded with the penultimate kick of the game to Northwich returning pointless back down the M6.

With top scorer Aaron Bishop on holiday, boss Dean Gill brought back Kieron Miller into his starting lineup, Jake Pearson, and Tom Allsopp also returning to the starting lineup.

Both set of supporters, players, officials and spectators completed a minute’s applause for both the two year anniversary of loss of Leon Taylor, and the recent loss of long time Norwich Victoria supporter Kenny Southam.

On a difficult playing surface Northwich made a bright and positive start, Malaki McKenzie and Sam Urwin on both flanks impressing with their pace and quality. The visitors were finding it difficult to come to terms with the conditions and the enthusiasm and quality of the home side, unable to get any real foothold in the game. Despite their possession Northwich were unable to create any clear chances, that was until the 20th minute. Brandon Barski losing his defender to head home a near post corner.

The equaliser came on 34 minutes. James Rowland's 25-yard free kick was met by Ben Podmore whose goal bound header was turned home by Rivel Mardenborough from a yard.

Whilst Northwich had, had the better of the possession, the equaliser galvanised the visitors and the possession statistics were pretty much reversed for the remaining 56 minutes.

The tacky and bobbling playing surface was proving difficult for both sides as free flowing quality football was difficult, both sets of players struggling to put several passes together, the ball getting stuck underneath their feet, or difficult to control.

The second half saw Darlaston having the better possession with McKenzie and Unwin, who were impressive in the first half seeing less of the ball, Northwich looking less impressive going forward than they had before the break. Tommy Grindrod and Frazer Cookson however remained firm and strong at the heart of their defence, keeping the Darlaston strikers at bay.

Darlaston were reduced to ten men on 58 minutes, Kieron Miller receiving his marching orders for the two of the most innocuous challenges, in the space of nine minutes. Despite the setback, Darlaston generally had the upper hand and thought they had taken the lead on 61 minutes. James Rowland's free kick. found the head of Podmore, keeper Alex Reid making a superb one handed save low to his right. The ball fell to Mardenborough whose goal bound shot, struck his own player Alex Foreshaw on the goal line and rebounded to safety.

Neither keeper was troubled unduly, defences generally having the upper hand. Darlaston substitute Louis Baker had the best chances of the half firstly blocked and then bringing a fine save from keeper Reid, before on a third occasion dispossessing the full back but his drive into the box could not find an on rushing teammate.

With the penultimate kick of the game Northwich snatched the three points, Darlaston failing to clear, McKenzie pouncing to score from six yards. Immediately upon the restart the referee blew the final whistle.

After the game Darlaston boss Dean Gill commented " Today sums up the highs and lows of football but that is why we all put in the time and effort that we do and enjoy the game so much. We enjoy the wins, however they come about, and are of disappointed when we lose. Whilst results are important and football is a results business, you cannot win every game. It is important to learn from your losses as well as enjoy your wins. Managers also look at the team and individual performances and today I was delighted, in the most part, with what I saw. This is a very tough league. I know it is a cliche, but it is true, any team can beat any other team. It is very fine margins, every player in this league is a good player, so you have to learn and look to improve every player and every performance, that is what I and every other manager seeks to do.

On today, I thought we were a bit slow out the blocks and Northwich took an early advantage and had the better of the opening 20 minutes or so, when they were really good. The playing surface was not great and did not help either side today, neither side playing with the rhythm and style that suits their game. That said I was proud of our energy, work rate and tenacity today and at times, even with ten men for half hour, we played some really good stuff. The players worked their socks off against a good Northwich side, who with their new manager and several new players today, will pick up plenty of points and climb the league, I am sure of that. Their two wingers and two centre halves did very well today.

Of course, I am disappointed with the result but not the performance of my players. They were first class for much of the game today. Once again, the support was great, and you would not have thought on the coach journey home that we had lost the game with the last kick of the game. The spirit at this club is superb."