Darlaston boss Dean Gill was forced into several changes from the team that drew with Dudley Town, Ben Podmore (suspension), Will O'Sullivan, Khalil Harrison, Ryan Winwood (all injured) , Liam Wilkinson (holiday) were all unavas well as long term injured Reece Mason and Farid Mikidam were all unavailable.

Casuals were energetic and pacey from the start with Colin Smith, Kamren Smith and former Darlaston youth player Tom Cottam creating problems for Darlaston. The home side had returning keeper Brad Clarkson to thank for two excellent first half saves, tipping over a Smith 25 yard effort and saving well from a close range Cottam effort.

Rivel Mardenborough, returning from a brief spell at Hednesford Town was lively for the home side producing a good save from keeper Stan Amos, but it was Casuals in the ascendancy.

The visitors deservedly took the lead on 29 minutes, new signing Colin Smith was on hand at the back post to slot home from close range following an excellent move down the left flank.

Clarkson was again on hand early in the second half to deny Smith whilst a Mardenborough effort went agonisingly inches wide.

Casuals doubled their lead on 59 minutes, centre half Joe Clark powering home a header from 6 yards.

Casuals continued to assert, and at times, overrun a stretched Darlaston midfield, the pace of Cottam and Kamren Smith causing problems. Fortunately for the home side the visitors could not add to their tally and it looked as if Casuals might rue their missed chances when Mardenborough pulled a goal back on 71 minutes with a crisp right foot finish from 18 yards.

It was not to be, a penalty on 80 minutes securing the win for the visitors. Kamren Smith winning a foot race with Alex Foreshaw, the latter adjudged to have brough Smith down in the area. Tom Hurley confidently dispatching the spot kick.

Manager Dean Gill reflected after the game " They won every battle and thoroughly deserved their win. They were better than us all over the pitch today and had a very bright and energetic front three who gave us problems all night. They broke very quickly and over ran us at times. Our individual and team performances, energy and work rate did not meet our usual standards and that is on me tonight."