DARLASTON 0 WORCESTER RAIDERS 2

High riding Worcester Raiders left the Paycare Ground with all 3 points following a competitive game which almost certainly put paid to Darlaston's fading hopes of an automatic promotion slot.

Both sides opened brightly but it was the visitors who took an early lead, Following an excellent flowing move down the right flank Anthony Smith's cross to the back post was met by the unmarked Nick McPherson who slotted home from 6 yards giving keeper Aaron Morris no chance.

Despite the early set back the home side reacted superbly and on 12 minutes Mitchell Tolley and Josh Carvel combined down the right and Carvel whipped the ball across the face of goal but unfortunately Sam Melia could not quite get a finishing touch. The visitors were playing some neat attractive passing football and a mid field battle ensued with Heason, Smith and Taylor for the visitors and Tolley, Lucas Hough and Craig Ball all impressing, McPherson and Martin Newman combined in the 20th minute to prize open the home defence but McPherson's 15 yard drive went inches wide. The game was now end to end and both sides had opportunities with Carvel and Melia going close for the home side with Smith and Tyler both missing good chances for the visitors.

Joel Hobbs and Glen Stitch were string at the heart of the visitors defence thwarting Melia, Carvel and Tolley who all shot wide under pressure whilst the pace and skill of McPherson and Smith created chances for Newman and Tyler both bringing fine saves from Morris. The next goal was going to be all important and it was the visitors who doubled their lead on the stroke of half time. Darlaston failed to clear a Smith corner and Sam Carey pounced on the loose ball to prod home from 4 yards.

The goal knocked the stuffing out of the home side and gave confidence to the visitors who had the better of the second half. Darlaston huffed and puffed and were desperate to put pressure on the visitors but they could simply not break through a superbly marshalled defence, Hobbs, Stitch and dale Goddard superbly protecting keeper Dan Stephens and limiting Darlaston to long range efforts and half chances. At the other end a Newman header went inches over the bar and McPherson ans Smith both created good chances to put the game out of sight only to be denied by keeper Morris.

The visitors saw out the game comfortably with a professional and controlled second half performance and eventually ran out confident and deserved winners.

Player manager Mark Swann could not conceal his disappointment at the end of the game " In the first half we built on last week's improved performance but Worcester are a very impressive side. I felt that the first half was pretty even but the goal on the stroke of half time was a major set back for us. The first half was a great advertisement for the quality of football at this level. Both sides were a credit to the Division.

Whilst it was always going to be difficult to pull back a 2 goal deficit In the second half we needed an early goal to put pressure on them but we simply could not breach their defence. They were very professional and controlled and with us pressing forward in search of an elusive goal they broke quickly and could've added to their lead. They have no obvious weaknesses and will finish in the top three, I am sure of that."