Darlaston travelled into Shropshire to play their rearranged fixture against Newport Town, after the original fixture was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

Manager Parkes was forced into making two changes to the starting line that drew with title challengers Worcester Raiders last Saturday, Isaac Cooper was unavailable due to work commitments and Alex Solomon was ill. Promoted from the bench were Daniel Bolzon who had fully recovered from his injury suffered at Allscott and Lucas Hough for his first start since resigning from Black Country Rangers just before the transfer deadline at the end of March.

Darlaston fans didn’t have to wait long for the first goal which came after 33 seconds Leon Taylor opened the scoring, latching onto a pin point cross from Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell from wide on left hand flank.

Their advantage was doubled in the fifth minute, Leon Taylor this time providing the assist, laying the ball off to Lucas Hough to score his first goal since re signing for the club on his first start, this clinical finish left Newport’s keeper no chance.

In the 15th minute it was 3-0 Darlaston with rampant probably the best goal of the evening an outstanding Lucas Hough chipped pass over the defence found the onrushing Ashley Evans who finished with a plum past keeper past the static Newport keeper Neil Hendy.

Darlaston fell asleep defending a corner in the 18th minute allowing Dan McLaughlin to turn the ball in at the far post has Darlaston defenders stood and watched the ball roll across the 6-yard area allowing their hosts for the evening to open their account.

The promotion chasing visitors restored their three goal advantage in the 28 minutes Tyrone Clarke once again on the left-hand side who was giving Newport defence a difficult time found himself in the clear after a Darlaston clearance from a corner found its way to the left flank Clarke-O’Connell was in full flow, sprinting half the length of the pitch. As he cut into the area his near post shot was half saved by Hendy, but the ball rolled from his grasp and bobbled over the line to give Darlaston a 4-1 lead.

The promotion chasing side we’re not having it all their own way Newport’s Nick Porter shot from 25 yards was saved by Darlo’s keeper Whittaker. Newport’s Muir and Bould were dragging the home side back into the game, along with Bresnell and Porter, as they started to cause Darlaston’s midfield and left side of the defence some problems. But the visitors stood firm, Taylor again forced Newport’s keeper into a save and Bolzon has a shot on target blocked.

Newport’s large management team had plenty to do in the half-time interval if they were to get back into the game. had much to do during the half time interval try and get back into the game.

Darlaston started second half as they finished in charge Jamie holder having a shot blocked in in the 52 minutes Ashley Evans hitting the post after yet another Tyrone Clarke O'Connell Cross.

Newport’s Porter was clearly their best attacking threat and asked question’s on Darlaston’s defence on may occasions. He even attempted an outrageous 45 yard lob from just inside Darlaston half and was unlucky as it just shaved the outside of Whitakers far left hand post.
The leagues current top scorer Leon Taylor missed a great opportunity in 66 minute having been received the ball after an outstanding run down Darlaston’s right by Italian Daniel Bolzon, his perfectly weighted square pass to Taylor was blasted wide on the turn.

But Taylor didn’t have to wait long to score his second and 35th goal of the season. Darlaston were awarded a free kick wide on the right for a foul on the overlapping Sam Causton. A dangerous Jamie holder free kick found the head of Taylor his glancing header helped the powerful free lick on its way into the top corner in the 66th minute to give Darlaston a 5-1 lead.

Noah Diallo made it 6-1 after coming on, curling a 25-yard free kick round the wall and past a diving Neil Hendy. The scoring was not finished their as Newport scored their second of the evening in the first minute of added time the dangerous Porter was rewarded for his evenings hard work with a goal, a powerful shot from the right of the penalty area gave Darlaston’s keeper Whittaker no chance.

Referee Sharma blew for full-tie shortly afterwards to send Darlaston back to the top of the table with a 6-2 win, something they desperately needed to put pressure back onto Worcester Raiders for their game on Saturday against Birmingham County FA Vase finalists Tipton Town, which ids the final League fixture for both clubs.

On behalf of everyone connected with Darlaston I would like to thank Newport for their excellent hospitality this evening at a really good ground.

Darlaston last game of the season is another trip into Shropshire in 10 days’ time where they travel to Telford Juniors on the 27th of April kick off is 3 p.m.