On a fantastic playing surface, in the sunshine at The Paycare Stadium, Darlaston Town progressed to the First Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup in a giant killing 3-0 win. Unbeaten Northern Premier League side Hednesford Town went into the game as clear favourites but an excellent second half performance by the home side saw them out work and at times, in the second half, out play their illustrious counterparts to record an excellent win in front of 322 spectators.

With Ryan Winwood, Jake Pearson and Josh Jones unavailable, Darlaston boss Dean Gill was forced to make changes to the side that drew with Lichfield City in midweek. Gill changed his teams formation bringing in Aaron Bishop after recovering from injury, and Kieron Miller to accompany 17 year old Farid Mikidam up front, Liam Wilkinson reverted to the bench with Ben Priest returning in midfield. The changes worked a treat, Darlaston thoroughly deserving their place in the next round.

Before the game, a minute's applause was observed for former Darlaston and West Bromwich Albion player Alec Jackson who passed away recently.

The first half was evenly contested, Hednesford having more possession, with Darlaston having the better chances. Ben Podmore and Alex Foreshaw shackled the Hednesford forward line of Rivel Mardenborough and Max Dixon, whilst Aaron Bishop and Kieron Miller found it difficult found it difficult to create opportunities against the excellent defensive partnership of Andrews and Sam Griffiths.

Tom Thorley and Reuben Forbes impressed for the visitors whilst Ben Priest, James Rowland and Lewis Gill were exceptional in midfield for Darlaston. The two teams negated each other, with the quality of football suffering as neither side would give ground.

Bishop had two half chances, the first going wide and Dan Crane saving well from his second effort. Ronee Hendricks shot wide following a well worked free kick. Hednesford's only chance of the half fell to former Darlaston striker Rivel Mardenborough who turned and shot from inside the area, teenage keeper Will O'Sullivan saving comfortably.

The second half was more open, turning on a 46th minute Ben Priest goal for the home side. Midway in the Hednesford half Sam Griffiths grappled with Miller resulting in a free kick to the home side. James Rowland's free kick was hooked back from the touchline by Podmore, Ben Priest was on hand to score from 8 yards.

The goal gave the home side plenty of confidence and they pretty much controlled most of the second half, restricting the visitors to long range efforts. Substitute Liam Wilkinson and his midfield team mates, regularly broke up play, restricting the visitors to one or two phases of play as they simply could not cope with Darlaston's quality, work rate and tenacity.

The second goal came on 67 minutes following a Michael Richards hand ball in the penalty area. Lewis Gill comfortably dispatching the spot kick to put the home side in control.

Hednesford's only half chance of the half was a Jack Kelly free kick which hit the foot of the post, before rebounding to safety.

Things went from bad to worse on 79 minutes for the Pitmen when keeper Dan Crane handling the ball outside of his box, to deny Louis Baker who was through on goal. Jack Richards replacing him in goal was immediately in action, palming away the resultant Lewis Gill free kick.

The home side were now on top, and the third goal was the icing on the cake. Louis Baker with the best goal of the game on 88 minutes, the young striker turning two defenders in the box before smashing home high into the roof of the net from 16 yards.

Less than twenty four hours after the game boss Dean Gill said -

" Firstly a few words about Hednesford Town FC. The supporters, players, management and officials were great today. The supporters helped to create a really good atmosphere, the management and officials were very respectful, and the players put in a great shift. I know they will be disappointed but rest assured they are a well-managed club with some very good technically gifted players. They will do very well this season I am sure of that.

On social media I have listened to and read some comments that have given us no, or very little credit for our performance. That is to significantly underestimate the work, preparation and diligence that we and indeed most managers put in both with their own players and by watching the opposition. I know that Danny (Glover - Hednesford Town manager) and some of his team watched us against Lichfield in midweek and of course I and my team have watched Hednesford more than once recently. You work hard to gain as much knowledge as you can about the opposition and then try to put that into operation on matchday's by playing to your strengths and hopefully capitalising on any weaknesses you may have seen in the opposition. It does not always work but neither is it always a "bad day at the office", you can only play as well or as effectively as the opposition will allow. That is exactly what happened today.

Less than 18 months ago Hednesford were three Divisions higher than us. Only four players started today that played in our opening game last season, so we are all rebuilding in one way or another. We had a very young squad playing against some very experienced players today. Ten players in our squad today were under 23, with five players 21 or under playing today. They all did superbly well. We were magnificent at the back, very strong in midfield and lively up front. Everyone of my players did exactly what was asked of them. It would be nice occasionally to get more credit for the work we put in, and the quality we have in our squad.

That said, I am chuffed to bits for everyone at the club today, the players, management team, supporters, volunteers and club officials. The whole day was fantastic from start to finish. The club's preparation for such a big game was brilliant, the players and management had put in the hard yards long before today and the supporters on such a glorious day were magnificent. To receive such a rousing reception, coming off the pitch, makes you feel proud that the players have sent a lot of Darlaston supporters home very happy."