Darlaston brew up a storming second half performance in this eight goal thriller

To experience the highs and lows of Darlaston Town FC you have to be there!

Last season in our first ever visit to Wem Town we experienced heartache going into the break, three goals down only to lose the game 4-3. Yesterday history repeated itself as the same thing happened again. Three goals down at the break, and Darlaston were indeed their own enemy.

Wem Town 4 Darlaston Town 4

Darlaston started their 2nd West Midlands League Division One campaign with a pulsating 4-4 draw in North Shropshire.

In a game strewn with goalkeeping errors , a magnificent second half performance saw Darlaston return from Shropshire with a precious point after a miserable first half performance saw them concede three goals.

The visitors got off to the worst possible start when a 3rd minute Jack Gaddes cross was missed by debutant keeper Dan Wilson allowing Rob Kennedy to steal in at the far post to head home unopposed from 3 yards. The goal set Darlaston back on their heels and Wem were dominant in the opening 20 minutes with Josh Gamble seeing plenty of the ball in midfield and creating half chances for Dan Price and Rob Kennedy. As the half progressed Darlaston started to find a foothold in the game but created little with Hughes and Swann shackled by Oldham and Batchelor at the heart of the home defence.

Long range efforts from Gaddes and Price were easily saved by Wilson and the home side always looked likely to add to their goals tally. Darlaston debutant Craig Ball set Sam Giles on a run but his cross evaded Swann. Following a fairly evenly contested 30 minutes Wem doubled their lead when a Stefan Holiday through ball beat the off side trap and Gamble had the simple task of lobbing the advancing Wilson. Darlaston's only real chance of the first half came on the half hour mark when Martin Stanton and Jack Whitehouse combined to set up Swann with a half chance but the strikers 18 yard shot went well wide.

The home side remained in the ascendancy and Darlaston's troubles were made worse in the 38th minute when player /manager Mark Swann suffered a nasty facial injury following a challenge by Christian Oldham.

Wem must have thought they had the game won in the 44th minute when Wilson again failed to cut out a Gaddes free kick allowing Price to score easily from 6 yards and give his side a well deserved three goal advantage.

Player/ manager Mark Swann substituted himself at half time replaced by debutant Dean Williams. If their first half performance could only be described as woeful then Darlaston's second half performance was magnificent.

In the opening minute of the half Lucas Hough met a Sam Giles corner only to see his goal bound effort cleared off the line by Hadzik with keeper Olgksandr stranded. Two minutes later the visitors reduced the arrears which saw them turn the game on its head with four goals in 17 superb minutes. Firstly keeper Olgksandr made a rash challenge on Hughes resulting in Hughes taking no further part in the game and a penalty which Sam Giles easily converted to set in train a superb spell of sustained Darlaston pressure.

Hughes was replaced by youngster Sam Melia and the pace of Williams and Melia together quickly started to give the home defence problems. After a quiet first half Lucas Hough was now winning every ball in midfield ably supported by Jack Whitehouse and Martin Stanton. It was Hough who reduced the arrears further in the 58th minute when his 40 yard free kick eluded everyone, including keeper Olgksandr, nestling in the back of the net, much to the delight of the large travelling contingent of Darlaston fans. With the away support in full song and urging their side on for the equaliser they were sent into raptures in the 63rd minute with a goal of the season contender from the impressive Hough. Following a sustained spell of pressure the ball was only cleared as far as Hough who hit the sweetest of volley's from 30 yards into the top right hand corner.

With Wem shell shocked, Darlaston were now rampant and took the lead for the first time in the 65th minute. With the ball bobbling about in the Wem six yard area, Williams laid it off to Sam Melia who tapped home from 4 yards.

Williams, Melia and Giles all went close to settling the game but as hard as they tried, they were unable to get a fifth goal. After such an onslaught Wem regained their composure and to their immense credit started to play some nice football as they edged their way back into the game. As the game began to settle down the next goal was going to be vital and it was the home side who found the equaliser on 78 minutes. A speculative 20 yard drive by Oldham beating the outstretched leg of keeper Wilson.

The final twelve minutes were fought out and both sides were relieved to escape with a point at the final whistle.

Darlaston are without a game this weekend but travel to Wrens Nest FC on Wednesday evening. The game at Tividale FC B69 1UL Kick off 7.45pm."

Darlaston Town took their unbeaten league run to TEN GAMES yesterday following this draw - A new Club record

Goalkeeper Dan Wilson also added his name to the record books as only the Second Goalkeeper to concede four goals on his debut equalling Michael Gamston's unwanted record last season (Against Wem Town).