Darlaston Town (1874) 4 Wrens Nest 0

A record crowd at The Paycare Ground witnessed Darlaston’s biggest home win of the season as new boy Joshua Carvel and Sam Giles both celebrated with a brace apiece against third placed Wrens Nest.

Following their superb 3-2 away win against AFC Bridgnorth on Tuesday evening in the JW Hunt cup, player/manager Mark Swann reintroduced Hayden Hughes, Sam Giles and Jack Whitehouse to the starting line -up.

Despite fielding their strongest line up to date, an opening goal eluded the hosts as for only the second time this season they went into the half time interval goal-less despite being presented with half a dozen opportunities to break the deadlock. Hayden Hughes missed a glorious chance shooting wide from 15 yards with only keeper Stevens to beat. Craig Ball struck the post from a 25 yard free kick whilst Sam Baxter and Sam Giles both failed to trouble the keeper with free kicks from 22 yards.

Former Lye Town striker Steven Weaver was impressive for the visitors whilst fellow striker Adam Hill was denied an unopposed run on goal by Swann's last ditch tackle. Despite having the better chances the first half was an evenly contested affair with both keepers in fine form.

Following his move from Penncroft Josh Carvel celebrated his home debut with Darlaston’s opening goal on 48 minutes when he drove home from close range. Carvel doubled the lead netting his second goal on 75 minutes when he turned Kieron Williams on the edge of the box and lashed home an unstoppable 8 yard strike giving keeper Stevens no chance.

Swann again came to the rescue in the 80th minute denying Weaver a clear shot at goal with a superb saving tackle.

Wrens Nest made every effect to get back into the game, but Sam Giles wrapped up the game on 84 minutes when he outpaced Jamie Fox down the right flank , cut inside Kieron Williams to fire home at the second attempt after his first close range effort was saved by keeper Luke Stevens.

Giles, who hadn’t scored since the opening day of the season completed the scoring on 87 minutes completing a personal double with a close range header after Carvel laid on a deep cross from the right.

After the game player/ manager Swann reflected "That was an excellent win against an in form Wrens Nest who had won their last 3 games and won 5 of their last 7 league games. The first half was a battle and whilst we missed several good chances we had to battle against a very good Wrens Nest team. Weaver has played at a much higher level and kept our defenders on their toes. The first goal was always going to be important and once we got that goal I thought we were excellent and there was only going to be one winner today. Once again we worked very hard and our front three of Hayden Hughes, Sam Giles and Josh Carvel were excellent. We have now won 5 league games on the bounce and have taken 16 points from the last 18 and any manager has to be delighted with that return”

This Saturday Darlaston are in cup action when they entertain AZAAD SPORTS of the West Midlands Regional League Division Two in the Birmingham County FA Vase Kick off 2pm at the Paycare Ground Bentley Leisure Pavilion.