Darlaston 3 Wem Town 0 by NEIL CHAMBERS

SATURDAY 12TH NOVEMBER 2016
DARLASTON TOWN (1874) 3 WEM TOWN 0

Darlaston made it 26 points out of a possible 30 as they extended their unbeaten league run to 10 games with goals from Josh Carvel, Mark Swann and substitute Lucas Hough.

The visitors made the better start, Rob Kennedy and Craig Beach impressing in midfield. Despite their impressive approach work the visitors never threatened the home keeper as Mark Swann, Ryan McAllister and Craig Ball stood firm at the heart of the defence. The home side eased their way into the game and slightly against the run of play took the lead on 16 minutes. Craig Ball's vision saw him pick out a a superb 30 yard cross field pass which elided the visitors , Josh Carvel beat the off side trap cut inside his marker drilling home a powerful drive home from inside the box.

This gave the home side confidence and they asserted themselves with Ball majestic in midfield and the pace of Carvel, Hayden Hughes and Sam Melia causing havoc for the visiting defenders. As pressure mounted the home side deservedly doubled their lead on 30 minutes when a Hayden Hughes corner was met by the unmarked Mark Swann's 3 yard header at the back post.

Darlaston were dealt a blow on 35 minutes when Hughes sustained a nasty ankle injury following a heavy challenge and was replaced by Lucas Hough. Hough took the resultant free kick and with his first touch nearly put the game beyond doubt, his 25 yard effort hitting the bar and rebounding to safety. A minute later Darlaston forced another corner, the ball fell to Swann but his 8 yard shot was blocked on the line by Jordan Batchelor.

Wem opened the second half in positive style attempting to ease their way back into the game with some impressive play, forcing two early corners. Keeper Aaron Morris cleared the first with a one handed punch and a minute later defender Kieran Parsons denied Josh Gamble with a superb goal line clearance.

A spell of sustained Wem pressure saw Paddy Townsend miss their best chance of the game with an 8 yard effort wide of goal. Despite their pressure the visitors simply could not breach the home defence and as Darlaston reasserted their authority they were dangerous on the break. Substitute Kieran Miller and Carvel looking dangerous and eventually the killer blow came on 75 minutes when substitute Lucas Hough picked up a loose ball to drive home from 20 yards beyond the despairing keeper Hopkins.

In the final minute home defender Mark Stanton and Wem substitute Jake Brown both received their marching orders for an incident which was more "handbags at dawn" than violent conduct.

Following the game Player/ Manager Mark Swann reflected "With runaway League leaders Hereford Lads Club losing today we now boast the longest unbeaten league run in the Division. Despite my pre match instructions we started very slowly today and Wem were impressive in the opening 15 minutes without creating any clear chances or troubling Aaron Morris. The first goal gave us confidence and other than a 15 minute spell early in the 2nd half when Wem put us under pressure I thought we did well without firing on all cylinders. I thought Craig Ball was superb today and Lucas Hough did well on his return from injury. Obviously it was disappointing to lose Hayden Hughes. I am not sure how serious the injury but it looks like we may miss him for a game or two and of course we will lose Martin Stanton for three games following his sending off."