Last night Darlaston Town played their re-arranged Midlands Football League Premier Division fixture at Bewdley Town the original game was due to be played during Christmas week on 30th December 2023.

Manager Dean Gill made three changes to Darlaston’s starting line-up with Liam Wilkinson, Sam Griffiths and Maxwell Ngbeken all missing to be replaced by the returning Josh Jones and promoted from Saturday’s bench were Tom Cottam and Harry Chesterton for his full Darlaston debut. Onto the bench came Keiran Miller, recent signing Hayden Seymour and Jake Pearson returning from a nasty facial injury suffered against Tividale.

Bewdley Town’s Ribbesford Meadow Ground, despite being recently flooded, appeared to have recovered well, however, the pitch was extremely wet and sticky in places.

Darlaston started the game in total control, not allowing their hosts out of their half for any long periods. Despite good quality build-up play all over the pitch Darlaston could not breach Bewdley’s resolute defence, marshalled well by centre halves Josh Hindes and Joe Bevan.

When Bewdley were able to put any pressure on Darlaston’s defence the quartet of Downing, Skipper Foreshaw, Jones and Chesterton dealt with any threat the home side could create. As the first half wore on, despite the probing runs of Downing and Chesterton out wide, the ball would not fall to Darlaston’s forwards or onrushing midfield players to create a creditable chance, or a committed home defence made a good block or a timely interception at a critical time.

On the stroke of half-time Bewdley’s forward Jack Griffiths-Perry collied with the perimeter fencing at speed picking up what looked a nasty injury which required hospital treatment.

The second half was very much a mirror image of the first half, although Darlaston had more attacking intent playing more centrally. The pitch was now becoming a factor in the game, the surface was cutting up quite badly with players sliding and large divots appearing as the temperature dropped and frost started to form.

In the 66th minute Darlaston were handed a golden opportunity to break the deadlock. Forward Aaron Bishop was bundled over in the home sides penalty area, James Roland stepped up and his well-struck penalty hit Bewdley’s left-hand post bouncing back into play and within the ensuing scramble Tom Cottan hit the post and Bewdley Keeper Charlie Dew made an excellent stop.

As the minutes in the game ticked by Bewdley grew in confidence. Midfield probing’s from skipper Courtney Richards along with the wing play of Craig Chirata and the willing running of Mike Bridges game Bewdley a good attacking platform. Darlaston all but threw the kitchen sink at Bewdley in the final minutes of the game to break the deadlock, leaving plenty of spaces behind as midfielders Ryan Winwood, Lewis Gill and James Roland pushed further onto their hosts.

In the 100th minute of the game, Darlaston were awarded a second penalty for a needless push on Tom Cottam as he was running away from goal, up stepped Lewis Gill whose well struck left-footed penalty sent Jew the wrong way to give Darlaston all three points.

Bewdley Town counted themselves unlucky after growing into the game, whereas last night’s late win for Darlaston could possibly pose more questions than answers, in saying that the whole squads effort, willingness to work for each other aa well as caring about the result could not be questioned and was as fantastic as always. In some games no matter how hard at team trys, or whatever a team does nothing seems to work or come off, last night was definitely one of those for Darlaston’s players but what matters most every single player never gave up and did everything they could to help their teammates.

Darlaston Town are once again on their travels on Saturday when another trip up the M6 will provide for a visit to Stone Old Alleynians – kick-off 3.00 p.m.

Further details of the fixture will be published closer to the game.