Darlaston 4 Bustleholme 1

Darlaston returned to winning ways courtesy of a hat trick by 20 year old Sam Melia who took his season goal tally to 10.

Following 3 successive league defeats player manager made a tactical change in formation moving to a 4-3-3 with Craig Ball reverting to a central defensive role and Swann bolstering the attack in his more accustomed centre forward role. Both sides opened brightly and the opening 15 minutes were even with Bustleholme's Hinesh Patel being denied by home skipper Ryan McAllister whilst the home side looked threatening with Josh Carvel and Melia combining in the 12th minute only for Melia to drag his 15 yard shot wide.

Darlaston began to assert a degree of authority and had the ball in the net on 24 minutes only to be denied by the offside flag. Swann's through ball was seized upon by Carvel his 8 yard shot coming back off a defender, Melia tucked home the rebound but his joy was short lived as the assistant referee's flag was aloft for offside.

Patel, Chris Brown and Leon Brown looked dangerous for the visitors but the Darlaston defence stood firm with 48 year old keeper Scott Bamford making two impressive saves.

Darlaston appeared to have broken the deadlock in the 26th minute when a goalmouth scramble saw Jack Whitehouse prod the ball goalwards from 6 yards. It looked as though the ball had crossed the goal line but the assistant referee's flag stayed down and the home side were denied what looked a perfectly good goal.

Bustleholme responded and Bamford was again in excellent form parrying a Leon Brown effort for a corner. The game was very open and the deadlock was finally broken on 36 minutes when Melia netted his first goal in 4 games with a 10 yard angled drive giving debutant keeper Josh Morgan no chance. Carvel and Swann both had chances to double the lead before half time but were denied by the impressive Morgan.

Darlaston opened the 2nd half the stronger and forced a 51st minute corner when a Josh carvel close range effort was turned around the post by Morgan. A perfect delivery by Giles was superbly headed home by Swann at the far post under pressure from defender Matt Simmons.

The goal gave Darlaston the extra confidence they have been lacking recently and they quickly put the game beyond doubt in the 57th minute. Following a foul on Swann some 25 yards out a superbly worked free kick saw Ball find Melia in space and the young striker scored from close range at the 2nd attempt.

Despite the set backs Bustleholme were still playing neat attractive football and both Miller and Patel created half chances bringing comfortable saves from Bamford. Darlaston responded with a Luke Charlton effort missing the far post by inches.

The impressive Patel gave the visitors a lifeline on 75 minutes turning home a Leon Brown cross from 8 yard with a looping header beyond Bamford, Darlaston's response was immediate and Melia had the chance to net his hat trick goal in the 77th minute when his pace took him clear but Morgan pulled off a fine one handed save.

Melia was not to be denied and deservedly got his hat trick in the 80th minute. Melia picked up the ball 25 yards out , beat his marker and sent in a looping 18 yard shot which eluded the fingertips of keeper Morgan.

A small piece of history was made for the newly re -formed club in the 85th minute when 16 year old Adonijah Allen emerged from the substitute's bench to become the youngest ever player to represent the club. The youngster being one third the age and 32 years younger than 48 year old goalkeeping coach and stand in keeper Scott Bamford.

Following the game player boss Swann reflected " We were more like ourselves today. We have been lacking confidence recently so it was pleasing that we were more fluent and energetic today. Josh Carvel and Sam Melia were excellent today and Craig Ball returning from holiday was important as it allowed me to change formation and we looked more solid than we have done in recent weeks. Bustleholme were impressive in spells and they are very dangerous going forward with Miller, Brown and Patel being a handful for any team.

I must pay special praise to Scott Bamford. Scott has done a great job for us as goalkeeping coach and with first choice keeper Aaron Morris suspended for three games , Scott has stepped up to the plate for those games. He has done exceptionally well and again today he made several superb saves. Morris is available again this week and I know Scott wants to hang up his boots permanently but I will speak to him during the week to see if I have a goal keeping dilemma on Saturday".