Tipton Town 4 Darlaston Town 3

Ten man Darlaston fell to their first League defeat in 11 games in a 7 goal thriller at local rivals Tipton Town. The hosts leap frogged their visitors in to 4th place with an 88th minute winner from substitute Terence Davies.

Darlaston opened brightly and were ahead in the opening 5 minutes when Sam Melia's pace took him clear and as he cut inside a defender his 18 yard shot took a slight deflection to nestle in the far corner beating keeper Brach's despairing dive.

The game was end to end with Melia and debutant Kyle Matthews, a recent new signing from Warstone Wanderers creating problems for the visitors defence whilst Jon and Dan Patrick were just as effective for the hosts. Tipton were looking impressive and grabbed the equaliser on 25 minutes when a Jon Patrick free kick into a packed goal mouth was turned into his own net by Ashley Justin.

The home side were ahead within 3 minutes when another free kick caused problems at the heart of the visitor’s defence, Tipton skipper Paul Henley's mis-directed header was turned home from 3 yards by Joe Hanson.

Darlaston were again level two minutes later. Craig Ball was impressing himself on the game and he coasted past two defenders to unleash a 25 yard shot against the underside of the bar, Matthews was first to respond to slam home the rebound. The game continued to be end to end and the visitors again went in front on 35 minutes and again a free kick was Darlaston's undoing. Sam Giles was harshly penalised some 25 yards put and 10 yards from the touchline. Jon Patrick's free kick eluded everyone and crept in at the far post leaving keeper Aaron Morris stranded.

The second half was just as compelling but both defences tightened up and far fewer chances were created. With the game evenly poised Darlaston were reduced to 10 men when full back Kieron Parsons was sent off for his second bookable offence. Despite the setback the visitors had their best spell of the game during a 15 minute spell midway through the half. Substitutes Josh Carvel and Kieran Miller both went close in a desperate attempt for the elusive equaliser which finally came on 76 minutes.

The blistering pace of Sam Giles took him past Cartwright and his superb left wing cross was turned home by Carvel for his 6th league goal in six games. The visitors were now on top and a blistering 25 drive by Craig Ball was superbly cleared by Moore with keeper Brach beaten and then Miller cut in from the right, his 20 yard drive rebounding off the foot of the post. Giles was again the provider two minutes later his left wing cross looking destined for the head of the oncoming Luke Charlton just 4 yards out but some superb defending by Henley conceding the corner.

Tipton responded superbly and as the ten men of Darlaston started to feel the pace substitute Davies and the impressive Dan Patrick both missed chances to secure the points. As the game was closing in on a draw the visitors hearts were broken a minute from time. Dan Patrick broke down the left, his cross was cruelly deflected into the path of Davies who calmly slotted home the winner from 6 yards.
A disappointed player boss Mark Swann reflected "Today was extremely disappointing. We are usually well organised at free kicks but today we conceded from three and you just cannot do that against a very good side like Tipton. They are strong in every position and in Dan Patrick they have a centre forward who keeps two defenders busy all game. With skipper Ryan McAllister and Martin Stanton both missing we had to make two changes at the heart of the defence and that unbalanced us. We were always in the game and for a spell when we were down to 10 men we had them on the back foot but they break quickly and caused us plenty of problems. Still we have had an excellent run and we now go again against second placed Newport Town next Saturday."

This Saturday Darlaston have another tough encounter when they entertain second placed Newport Town at the Paycare Ground, Bentley Leisure Pavilion, Bentley Road North, Bentley WS2 0EA Kick Off 2.00pm.