Darlaston Town 3 Kington Town 1

An impressive and confident display saw Darlaston notch their 6th consecutive league win with a commanding performance against Herefordshire based Kington Town. The visitors were buoyed by a new management team and three new signings but were always second best in this West Midlands League Division One clash.

The home side held the upper hand in the early exchanges, missing two early opportunities, firstly Josh Carvel shooting wide from 12 yards and Sam Melia just failing to convert a Hughes cross.

Darlaston opened the scoring on 16 minutes. Kington failed to properly clear a corner, the ball falling to Craig Ball whose 25 yard shot hit the foot of the post , skipper Ryan McAllister was first to react prodding home the rebound from 10 yards for his first goal of the season. Despite Darlaston holding the upper hand and always looking dangerous against a leaky visitors defence, Kington full back Brian Dyer continually found himself free on the right wing and caused the home side problems with some excellent crosses, but keeper Aaron Morris dealt with them all comfortably.

Darlaston then doubled their advantage just after the half hour when midfielder Luke Charlton stole in unmarked at the far post to head home from 6 yards. Darlaston now oozed confidence, Carvel, Hughes and Melia all creating opportunities to extend the lead further but all failed to beat Adam Jones in the Kington goal.

The visitors looked impressive in short spells with Joe Maygothling prompting and probing down the left and Dyer continuing to find space down the right flank. Kington had their best chance of the game on 70 minutes and the home side nearly paid the price for missing several chances when the visitors went within inches of reducing the arrears. Some excellent play on the left saw Maygothling' create space to send in a left wing cross which eluded the home defence with Nick Evans just failing to connect from one yard out.

Kington continued to take the game to Darlaston pushing Evans and Dyer further forward but the home defence held firm and eventually added to their lead in the 63th minute. Following a foul on Carvel, Craig Ball's superb angled 25 yard free kick was met by Mark Swann who powerfully headed home from 6 yards to give the score line a slightly flattering look.

The visitors continued to impress with their effort and work rate and reduced the arrears with a deserved consolation goal on 80 minutes. The impressive Dyer combined with substitute Liam Edmunds before sending in a right wing cross which was met by Nick Evans powerful 8 yard header which gave keeper Morris no chance.

Following the game Darlaston player / manager Mark Swann gave his verdict

"I had to make a couple of enforced changes today with Lucas Hough injured and Martin Stanton unavailable due to work commitments. That is not ideal when you are playing against such a good and competitive side as Kington. That said, it was a fine three points against a Kington side who are now starting to pick up after a poor start. They are a good strong side and I have no doubt they will improve under new manager Stuart Jones. I played Hayden Hughes just off the front two and I was pleased today with how we competed up front against a tall and physical defence. I thought Luke Charlton and Craig Ball impressed for us in midfield and young Sam Baxter did well against Maygothling who is an excellent player. We are still not as fluent as I would like but we are now unbeaten in 7 league games so confidence is high and we feel we can compete against any side in the Division".

This Saturday Darlaston will entertain 5th placed Old Wulfrunians at The Paycare Ground, Bentley Leisure Pavilion, Bentley Road North, Bentley WS2 0EA KO 3.00pm.