Supporters management and players of Darlaston Town (1874) endured a very difficult journey into the heart of Warwickshire to face Atherstone Town in the JW Hunt Cup second round tie.

Manager Andy Parkes was forced into more changes due to availability and injury, James Filkins replacing Anthony Fellows. Luke Charlton returning for the unavailable Hayden Hughes and Seweryn Brzostowski replacing the injured Tyrone Clark Campbell.
Atherstone Town play at a higher standard than ourselves their Division is the equivalent of the Premier Division in the West Midlands (Regional) League. Atherstone Town have already beaten two Premier West Midlands (Regional) League teams this season both away from home and in cup competitions. They beat Cradley Town and Dudley Town convincingly by 4-0.

Manager Parkes always knew this fixture was going to be a difficult game. It did not take Atherstone long to take charge of the game scoring their first of their six goals in the fourth minute, a 20-yard drive from Ryan Quinn after Mitch Thompson had squared the ball. The second was not long after on eleven minutes finish from inside the six-yard box by Mark Williams after yet another assist from Mitch Thompson.
Darlaston got themselves back into the game very quickly, a miss-kick from Atherstone keeper George Woodward was chased down by Scott Broadway who managed to bundle the ball home. Broadways goal only spurred Atherstone on to dominate the remainder of the halve, Darlaston’s hard working midfield and defence kept giving away cheap free kicks. Atherstone creating eleven further attempts on goal in the remainder of the half adding to the score online after 35 minutes with a Nathan Haines header from an Alex Norton corner Darlaston went into the break at 3-1 down having only had one effort during the first half.

Manager Parkes changed his formation at halftime and went from a lone striker with two up front bringing on Anthony Nicholls for the ill Seweryn Brzostowski. Nicholls wasted no time having an effort on goal in the first minute of the half.

It didn’t take long for Atherstone to start to dominate the game again moving forward at pace at every opportunity. Further efforts on goal from Shorthouse (two), Quinn (three) and Captain Alex Norton who scored Atherstone fourth in the 59th minute finishing well from twelve yards.

Anthony Nicholls was proving a thorn in Atherstone’s side, after a rare Darlaston attack he narrowly missed the target on 62 mins. Darlaston’s best effort of the evening after 74 mins Addy Allen just missing the far post with a header after excellent work once again from Antony Nicholls and Same Giles on Darlaston’s left.

Atherstone continued to have more efforts at goal, substitutes Harry Walker Donovan rising shot over the bar and Danny Harris missing the target when it looked easier to score. On 80 minutes after a surging run into the area by Ryan Quinn, Ryan McAllister sent him crashing to the ground with a trip. Alex Norton dispatched his second goal of the evening Atherstone making it 5-1. Atherstone we’re not finished there a sixth was added by substitute Ellis Whitelaw in the 86th minute.

Darlaston Town 1874’s JW Hunt Cup campaign is over for this season. Everyone connected with the club would like to thank Atherstone Town for their hospitality and wish them the very best for the future of the competition and for their season.

The players of management now have a few days to recover and recuperate ready for Saturday’s second round Birmingham County FA Vase home tie at The Paycare Ground against Christ The King from the Coventry Alliance kick off 2pm.

Finally, on behalf of the club and the players, I would like to thank all of the supporters who attended the game at Atherstone, having endured a very difficult journey to the ground, I hope the return one was not as difficult. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday when we go again.