Darlaston survived the elements and a late goal to be in the draw for the next round of the Birmingham County FA Vase at The Paycare Ground and end A.E.I Rugby's unbeaten start to the season.

Visitors A.E.I. Rugby the undefeated leaders of the Coventry Alliance League made the long journey along the M6 to Darlaston Town (1874), looking to continue their faultless start to the season. Manager Andy Parkes once again made changes, some forced. Ryan McAllister returned to captain the side together with James Filkins, Martin Stanton and Lucas Hough. The unfortunate players who were unavailable because or work commitments, injury were Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell, Ant Follows, Ricky Kelly and Ashley Justin.

A wonderful crowd of 127 including our special guests for the day, our Birmingham County FA Vase winners in seasons 1990/91 and 1991/92 including manager Jim McMorran turn up to a windswept Paycare Ground with quick heavy showers being quickly blown through.
Darlaston kicked off playing as usual left to right against the wind, which caused problems, A.E.I. Rugby pressed Darlaston deep into their half and they struggled to get out of their half for the first 10 minutes of the game. A.E.I. Rugby fashioned three good chances Izzard and Irvine having headed efforts and Darlaston keeper Morris was forced into early action with a save from Lee Vince who was causing Darlaston problems early on with his deft left footed touches.

The home side soon learnt how to deal with the conditions prompted by Dave Richards at the base of the midfield. Also, Sam Giles starting to have his usual influence down Darlaston’s right side supplying quality service to the forwards who failed to convert three glaring chances all within six minutes from inside the six-yard box two for Broadway and one for Hughes.

Back came A.E.I. Rugby who were now looking dangerous from set pieces collecting second balls and pressing Darlaston back once again by playing football, further shots from Josh Goodwin, and Lee Vince were blocked by the hard working Darlaston defence or missed the target. Daniel O’Toole after 26 minutes bought the best out of Arron Morris after a stinging drive from 20 yards saw Morris need to tip the ball over.
Darlaston’s midfield were starting to get to grips with the conditions, playing the ball around with short passes creating an opening for Scott Broadway on 30 minutes which was blocked by two sliding A.E.I. Rugby defenders. After 32 minutes Darlaston broke the deadlock, a Kieran Payne pass to Sam Giles, who once again produced a fine cross which Hayden Hughes converted at the near post from 8 yards to put Darlaston in front.

Straight from the kick A.E.I. Rugby attached O’Toole forcing Morris into another diving save, and from the resulting corner Morris once again kept A.E.I. Rugby out saving a header from Jim Smith. Giles was at it again after 30 minutes crafting another cross, Lucas Hough missing from 3 yards when it looked easier to score. Scott Broadway was booked on 40 min following a crunching tackle in midfield, Luke Charlton soon followed him into the Referee’s book three minutes later.

A.E.I. Rugby should have at least gone in level they had five attempts in the last 5 minutes of the half shots from O’Connor, O’Toole and Goodwin, but Matthew Izzard was proving to be a real problem from set pieces two good headers, one saved by Aaron Morris and the left post save Darlaston after the other effort.

After the half time interval, when every descended into the bar for a warm, Manger Parkes must have produced another one of his inspirational team talks, we have seen Darlaston come out at the beginning of the second half too many times this season and inside 10 minutes either win the game or certainly get on level terms, this game was no different.

Straight from the off inside 5 minutes Luke Charlton had a great effort charge down, Hayden Hughes battered the right post from 25 yards, Darlaston forced two corners one of which saw Scott Broadway add to his seasons tally a headed finish after a short corner, Lucas Hough this time producing the quality service from out wide.

On 58 minutes a 35-yard cross from Sam Giles from the right was taken by the wind forcing A.E.I. Rugby keeper Gavin Campbell into a fantastic save tipping the ball over when a goal looked certain. Darlaston’s midfield were starting to dominate, Dave Richards pulling the strings from the base, mopping up the stray balls from A.E.I. Rugby’s defence, James Filkins was busy always looking for the forward penetrating pass and Luke Charlton always available providing links to the wide and forward players.

A.E.I. Rugby received two bookings following tackles Josh Goodwin on 59 mins and substitute Atal Hinds on 67 mins. A.E.I. Rugby were finding it as difficult as Darlaston did in the first half, there was no way and long balls would reach their target, and because Darlaston’s midfield was so busy A.E.I. Rugby only relied on quick breaks and could not build a period of sustained play or pressure.

Darlaston continued to create chances, Luke Charlton fashioned a great run through the right side of A.E.I. Rugby’s defence, delivered a killer ball across the face of A.E.I. Rugby’s goal, no Darlaston player could convert the opportunity. Sam Giles was once again causing problems on the right forcing keeper Campbell into action on three occasions. Even Dave Richards managed into get into act, having his first shot of the season which dribbled into the keeper’s arms.

Its sounds like it was total domination by Darlaston, that was not the case, A.E.I. Rugby were still dangerous another Matthew Izzard header on 63 mins was once again saved by Morris.

As Darlaston were trying to see out the game in injury time, Jim Smith latched onto a through ball clinically finishing a fine chance planting the ball in Morris bottom left hand corner. Fortunately, 45 seconds after the restart the Referee blew for full time saving the Darlaston fans from enduring another nail-biting finish.

The battle of the unbeaten two was finished, someone today was going to lose their unbeaten start to the season.
Darlaston’s unbeaten run continues to 12 games, next week we entertain Wem Town at The Paycare Ground kick off 3 pm, please come and see if the run can continue.

Many thanks to our new friends at A.E.I. Rugby we hope you season is as successful as you hope.

Finally, on behalf of everyone at Darlaston Town (1874) I would like to thank our wonderful supporters who continue to follow us, this was the tenth consecutive home game with a crowd of more than 100, last week at Bromyard Town there were more away fans than home. Your support is greatly appreciated by the Management and players.