After last Saturday's 4-0 convincing win at Dudley Sports Manager Andy Parkes was again forced into a change of formation as well as making three enforced changes to his stating XI for today’s Premier Division fixture against Shawbury United. Luke Wilson was missing due to injury and was replaced by Tyrone Clarke O'Connell who himself was returning after four weeks out. The unavailable Dan Cresswell was replaced by Zico Agyemang who stepped up from the bench. Josh Jones who left the club yesterday to return to Wolverhampton Casuals was replaced by new signing from Cradley Town Adam Skeldon who made his second debut for the club.

Darlaston were looking to win two games on the trot for the first time this year and they started the game exceptionally well, not giving Shawbury anytime on the ball as they hounded them and closed down at every opportunity. Going forward Darlo attacked at pace getting the ball wide at every opportunity.

Darlaston’s opening goal came by virtue of denying their opponents anytime on the ball. Aiden Blackham won a tackle in midfield and threaded the ball in behind the square Shawbury defence for the onrushing Leon Taylor to take in his stride. Taylor Darlaston’s top scorer made the most of his chance burying the ball in the net from 10 yards beating the advancing Delawere with ease. 1-0.

Darlaston’s controlled most of the possession for the remainder in the first half, but once again they were guilty of not taking their chances. Darlaston were wasteful in front of goal as chances went begging, missed headers, guilt edged chances miskicked, or players dwelled on the ball for too long allowing the overworked Shawbury defence time to recover.

As the 171 watching fans were looking forward to their drinks at halftime Halil misplaced header from a corner just missed the target flicking the bar as it went over, and somehow debutant Adam Skeldon managed to wriggle his way past a couple of defenders up the by-line, his well struck shot was kept out by the feet of Delawere Agyemang’s follow up header grazed the post.

Would Darlaston pay for all a missed chances in the second half.

Shawbury came out different side and dominated possession and territorial advantage for the second 45 minutes so to say the game was one of two halves could not be truer. Whatever Darlaston did they couldn’t get out of their own half for any period of time, the roles were reversed it was Shawbury that had all the energy, closing their hosts down, to a man they worked exceptionally hard.

Darlaston’s defence stood firm, the home sides defensive centre of partnership of Lucas Hough and Liam Smith were immense in repelling Shawbury’s attacks, the home sides marauding full backs were pegged back and not allowed to roam in acres of space as they had in the first half. David Jones Shawbury’s number 11 smashed the ball against the underside of the bar in the 52nd minute when it looked easier to score, all he had to do was to hit the target. The visitors had several half chances, but weak shots were dealt with by the now busy Hopkins in Darlo’s goal. One save in particular was important a cross from Corfield that was affected by the wind was going in until Hopkins clawed it out from under the bar.

Both managers introduced fresh legs into the game using their three substitutes each. In the final 10 minutes both sides had good chances first Darlaston to double their lead, Agyemang was clear through on goal, his weak effort was kept out by the feet of Shawbury’s keeper.

Hopkins saved his side again with a flying save low down to his right after a powerful header sent his scrambling across his goal. From the resulting corner central defender Harry Walker missed the visitors best chance of the half his header from six yards went wide.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 90th minute Liam Walton received a second needless yellow card and was sent off.
Darlaston scored their second deep into injury time in the 94th minute Bekir Halil crowned another good performance by scoring with a cross shot past the keeper after good work from Isaac Cooper on Darlaston’s right side

So, two wins on the trot, no goals conceded from open play in three, two different kinds of performances with two totally different formations. It appears that their form is returning which is a good thing as Darlaston now look towards and concentrate on Tuesdays massive Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit Challenge Cup semi-final against Studley at the Paycare Ground kick off 7:.45pm