For the 2nd successive League game a home crowd exceeding 100 witnessed Darlaston make it 6 points from 2 games with a comfortable win against Oswestry based St Martins FC.

With Dave Richards and Richard Joyce both unavailable Sam Giles and Daryl Westwood both made their first starts of the season

Darlaston opened brightly with Ant Follows creating an early opportunity which he sliced wide, minutes later Jamie Hands had a half chance for the visitors but his 10 yard header failed to trouble keeper Aaron Morris.

The pace of Giles and Westwood was causing the visitors difficulties , the two combining in the 14th minute, when Westwood's pin point cross was superbly headed home by Hayden Hughes. Unfortunately for the home side a dubious off side flag wiped out the goal. Darlaston were having the better of the exchanges with several right wing crosses from Giles causing difficulties in the home defence whilst two snap shoots from Westwood from the edge of the area both went high over the bar.

Tom Ash and Zak Ward were impressive for the visitors but keeper Morris was rarely troubled in the opening 30 minutes. Darlaston were denied a blatant penalty when Seweryn Brzostowski was pushed over from behind by Stoker but to the disbelief of the home crowd the referee waived play on

In the 35th minute St Martins keeper George Austin pulled off a magnificent one handed save diving high to his left to finger tip a Ryan McAllister header over the bar.

Despite their pressure Darlaston were unable to break the deadlock and the half ended goalless.

Disaster struck in the opening minute the visitors taking the lead through Zak Ward. St Martins pounced on a stray Westwood pass and broke with pace, the ball was played to full back Howes who found Ward in the box, the striker shooting underneath Morris from 8 yards. The home side responded magnificently and equalised from the penalty spot on 48 minutes. An 18 yard shot from Daryl Westwood shot struck the hand of Stoker. Somewhat harshly on the St Martins defender the referee pointed to the spot, atoning for his earlier denial of a much clearer penalty claim. Sam Giles calmly stepped up to net his first goal of the season and put the home side on level terms.

The visitors enjoyed a good spell and keeper Morris was called into action on 54 minutes making a fine save from Ash. Darlaston midfielder thought he had given the home side the lead a minute later when he glided past 3 defenders into the penalty area but his 8 yard effort was superbly saved by Austin diving to his left to finger tip over the bar. As the home side 's pressure mounted they were rewarded with the best goal of the game on 64 minutes. Westwood and Hughes combined superbly down the left, Hughes cutting in from the left beating two defenders before unselfishly laying the ball back for the oncoming Ricky Kelly to drive the ball home from 15 yards.

Ten minutes later the home side extended their lead when Westwood set up substitute Scott Broadway to open his goalscoring account, Broadway unleashing a vicious 15 yard shot giving keeper Austin no chance.

The visitors responded well and set up a nail biting final 13 minutes when ward netted his second goal with a looping header from a Howes free kick. However Darlaston were not to be denied and settled the game 9 minutes from time when Luke Charlton rose to glance home a 10 yard header from Sammy Causton's right wing cross.

Two minutes later substitute Sam Melia was denied by the cross bar and both Melia and Broadway had late efforts easily saved by Austin.

The win means Darlaston are just one of five West Midlands League Division One teams to take maximum points from their opening two games giving them their best start to the season since reforming in 2014/15.

This Saturday Darlaston are in home action against local rivals Willenhall Town. This will be the first time since March 2013 that the two former giants of the Black Country meet in a competitive fixture. On that occasion Darlaston ran out winners 4-1 and the Darlaston faithful will be hoping for a similar result at the weekend. The game is at the Paycare Ground, Bentley Leisure Pavilion, Bentley Road North, Bentley WS2 0EA, KO 3.00pm.