This was the first time these two sides had met this season and Chelmsley’s record so far in the league suggested the game would be very one sided with them having lost 4 of their 5 games. You should never read too much into league tables as the game proved to be very different with the Colts being difficult to break time at times.

The game started at a fast pace with both teams sharing good amounts of possession. After a few early saves from the Colts goal keeper, the opening goal came in the 12th minute, Laura Avery ran onto a through ball from Lauri Alexander, the midfielder did well to evade challenges from a number of players before seeing her shot from 20 yards nestle in the back of the net.

Darlaston doubled their advantage just 8 minutes later when a well worked move found Sara Carter on the right wing. Her measured cross was met at the far post by striker Sarah Lojko whose well placed header beat the visiting keeper

The home side were frustrated by Chelmsley especially their goalkeeper who pulled off a number of saves. Darlaston could not take their chances and went into the half time break two goals to the good

At half time the message from the managers was to be patient. At times it appeared that the team was so over keen to make amends for last weekend’s first defeat of the season at Coleshill as they were trying to force things too much, and just needed to relax on the ball and be more patient.

With that in mind the ladies first goal of the second half came after just 5 minutes of the restart when a foul on the edge of the area led to a free kick from 25 yards out. Striker Lauri Alexander stepped up and her sublime free kick left the keeper with no chance 3-0 to Darlaston

The half time team talk worked wonders as they kept the ball well, being patient, so they soon began to dominate possession. Chelmsley were finding it difficult to get out of their own half with Darlo turning the screw. Goal number four was a carbon copy of the first with Alexander providing the assist for Avery whose 25-yard shot again found the back of the net after 68th minutes.

The visitors continued to try and play football and at times looked like they would get in behind the home teams back three. Some last ditch defending prevented Walker Darlaston’s keeper from being troubled. Darlaston received their first yellow card of the season on 75th minutes. Lauri Alexander was penalised for a badly timed tackle in the centre of the park.

The visitors conceded a free kick on the edge of the area and were made to pay. Striker Alexander had already demonstrated her skill in the first few minutes of the second half scoring Darlaston’s third goal. Alexander did not disappoint a second time as she scored the home sides fifth of the afternoon, this time needing the help of the right post to score.

The final goal of the game came in the 82nd minute when a through ball from midfielder Kelly Worrall found Lojko who made no mistake and buried the ball in the back of the net scoring her second and ensuring the game ended with a 6-0 victory.
Player of the Match was awarded to Lauri Alexander for her superb well taken free kick both giving the visiting keeper no chance.

Overall the Ladies were happy to return to winning ways. They would like to thank all the supporters who came to watch and also to the club groundsman Gill Preece whose efforts provided a top class playing surface despite the weekend’s heavy rain.