After last week’s fine win against second placed Bewdley Town Darlaston Town supporters were hoping for a repeat performance when they travelled too bottom place club Cradley Town for the last away game for four weeks.

Darlaston’s management team were forced into a single change from last week starting XI Liam Smith was unwell Sam Causton returned to his usual right back berth after recovering from injury, Ricardo Ricketts moving into central defence.

The opening exchanges within the game saw both sides looking to gain some superiority. During Darlaston’s first attack of any significance in the 11th minute Leon Taylor turned his man on the corner of the 18 yard area, a turn of pace allowed Taylor to deliver a dangerous cross met by his strike partner for the afternoon Zico Agyemang, whose effort on goal struck the hand of the impressive Kai Knight. Referee John Roskelly pointed to the penalty spot.

Lucas Hough took the penalty his well struck left-footed penalty was saved by Cradley keeper Adam Marusiak, unfortunately for the home side the ball dropped to the feet of Hough who from 10 yards made no mistake in find the back of the net for the Leagues fifth placed team, giving them a dream start.

Hough seemed to carry Darlaston's main threat as was at it again shortly afterwards, a curling free kick smacked into the home sides bar and unfortunately for the visitors back into general play

Both sides tried to play football on a sticky pitch, but both found life difficult as passes went regularly astray. For the remainder of the half neither side created a chance of any note. The only close efforts were from the talented Cradley captain Kieran Day, whose two efforts from distance cleared the Darlaston bar.

The first was a scrappy affair, neither side had any major periods on domination, both defences seemed impossible to breach, Darlaston line of Glasby, Ricketts and Fellows, along with Cradley’s Kettle, Dunne and Knight were able to deal with any probing efforts of the opposition.

A large crowed surely would be looking forward to a more free flowing second half.

Darlaston scored their second of the afternoon, a long Liam Whittaker dropkick caused a mistake in the home defence two defenders struggled to decide how and who would clear the ball, allowing Zico Agyemang to steel the ball, his short run on goal, with a n early shot across the diving Marusiak found the side netting to send the Darlaston players and fans off in celebration. The goal gave Darlaston a cushion for the remainder of the game.

Cradley reduced Darlaston’s advantage in the 72nd minute well delivered free kick by substitute and ex Darlaston player Adam Skeldon was met by the head of Kai Knight, his unmarked header beating the full stretch dive of Darlo’s keeper Whittaker, to give the bottom club, some hope of getting something out of the game.

Darlaston managed to see out the remaining minutes of the game without any incidents or scares although the lively forward line at time put Darlaston’s defensive line under pressure. At the final whistle Darlaston secured the win, taking then to third place in the table, especially as the Wolves Casuals and Worcester Raiders game had been

The hard work and endeavour of both sides was commendable, but the game was a scrappy, a hard and well fought affair, where both managers could not fault the effort of their players.

Darlaston’s next league game is a promotion clash against well placed Worcester Raiders next Saturday at the Paycare Ground, this the first of six home games in four weeks for Andy Parkes squad.

In midweek Darlaston play their rearranged first round J.W. Hunt Cup game against New Division Two side Walsall Town Swifts on this coming Tuesday evening 15th of October kick-off 7:45 p.m.