Darlaston’s J.W. Hunt Cup comes to an end losing their quarter final tie 1-0 at last season’s competition winners Atherstone Town, A second half goal from top scorer Alex Naughton was enough to see the Adders through to the semi-final stage.

Manager Parkes and his assistant Scott Moore welcomed back Noah Diallo from his three-match suspension and Daniel Bolzon on his return from Italy into the squad for the game, both were given a seat on the bench. The only change to Saturday’s line-up was the promotion of Ashley Evens from the bench after his injury time winner, Ryan Kingdon made way and was named as a substitute.

The first half started slowly, both sides trying to trying to find weaknesses in the opposition. Atherstone were happy to build from the back at every opportunity, looking to play their pass and move football, whereas Darlaston looked to get the ball forward more quickly, more often than not surrendering possession of the ball back to the home side.

In say that Darlaston had the better efforts on goal in the opening minutes, last Saturdays match winner Ashley Evans having a stinging drive from distance saved by Atherstone’s keeper Carl O’Neill after 10 minutes.

Five minutes later Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell managed to find some space, and instead of laying the ball off to the better placed Taylor, shot from distance sending the ball high and wide.

Clarke-O’Connell and Sam Causton combined well o Darlo’s right flank, Clarke-O’Connell whipping in a near post cross, Alex Solomon’s effort was blocked by a last ditched tackle from Adders centre half Eggleton.

Atherstone’s only effort on goal in the opening 20 minutes was a Joe Obi header which was saved easily by Whittaker. As the half wore on Atherstone’s possession and pressure was beginning to tell, the busy Ryan Quinn just shaved the post from 20 yards, and Jonathan Gould cut in from the left, his well struck right foot shot was parried wide by the alert and diving Whittaker.

As the first half drew to a close, Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell was on target once again, Darlaston’s keeper Liam Whittaker nearly gifted Atherstone an opening goal, as he tried to beat Obi on the edge of his 6-yard area, only a last-ditch tackle from Whittaker sparred his blushes.
As both sides walked off for the half-time interval, Darlaston would be far more happier with their performance, where as Atherstone for all their possession and probing they didn’t create any clear-cut chances, only efforts from distance troubled the well marshalled Darlaston defence who also had the inform Whittaker behind them.

It was a very different Atherstone that started the second half, their patient build up from the back had gone, a more direct and they moved the ball at a much quicker pace, which created five corners and nine efforts on goal in the opening 10 minutes of the half, Whittaker making two saves, and the central defensive pair of Luke Charlton and Scott Glasby were blocking shots at regular intervals. Obi showed have done better with a header that just cleared the bar.

Would the introduction of top scorer Alex Naughton from the bench for John Obi after 59 minutes have an impact on the game, his appearance was cheered by the home supporters.

Darlaston’s best chance of the half so far came from an Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell, after his shot had been blocked by Quinn. Clarke-O’Connell’s fine delivery caused panic in the home area Jamie Holder stole in at the far post. His header in the six-yard area went upwards and was met by a Luke Charlton goal bound flick, only to be blocked by the alert Martin Hutchcox who kept his position on the near post well.

Ex Coventry City players Ryan Quinn and Adam Bilic were the next Adders players to threaten Darlo’s goal, Quinn’s effort was blocked by David Richards which resulted in him having to leave the field with an ankle injury to be replaced by Noah Diallo. Bilic’s right footed drive from 18 yards flicked the top of the baron 65 minutes.

Darlaston’s defence stood resolute, players putting their bodies on the line by diving top make blocks, the midfield were working as hard defensively, but by surrendering the ball too quickly they couldn’t build any forward momentum, a rare attack saw a Jamie Holder drive from 22 yards go wide.

The game was decided in the 72nd minute, a fantastic cross from Adam Bilic was met 10 yards out by substitute Naughton whose well placed header from 10 yards beat the despairing dive of keeper Whittaker, 1-0 to Atherstone.

Darlaston were forced into a second change after 77 minutes Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell picked up another knock and was replaced by the returning Daniel Bolzon, would he be able to rescue Darlaston once again as he had done in the first round against Warstones.
The lead should have been doubled on 78 minutes Bilic stole in unnoticed at the far post to head wide when the goal was wide open.
As the game drew to a close Liam Whittaker pulled off a fantastic full length save from another Naughton header in the 86th minute, a cross from the right was met powerfully by the head of the Adders forward, somehow Whittaker managed to reach high up with his left hand to parry the ball to safety to keep the ball out of the visitor’s goal.

The last chance of the game fell to Darlaston in the 89th minute two of the three substitutes combined to create the chance. Ryan Kingdon who had replaced Ryan Jones, crossed from the left to Bolzon his flicked near post header was saved by the alert O’Neill.
Shortly afterwards the final whistle blew and Darlaston were out of their final cup competition of the season. Beaten by a well drilled, talented footballing side, it was certainly no disgrace to lose to a higher league team, playing week in week out at the same level at the West Midlands (Regional) League Premier Division, they have been challenging for promotion for the last three seasons, and this one is certainly no different as they are currently fourth.

Andy Parkes, his squad and his management team should not be disheartened by the loss, they could not have worked or battled harder and should be extremely proud of their performance on a cold frosty night, no one likes to lose, least of all the manager and his players. But now they can concentration the remaining games left in the league season and look to keep the unbeaten run going by working hard as a squad to achieve the seasons goal.

Darlaston don’t have a game this Saturday, their next game is at The Paycare Ground on Saturday 19th January when we entertain last season’s league runners up Newport Town, kick off is 2 pm.