After progressing to the quarter final stage in last seasons J W Hunt Cup, last night Darlaston progressed to Round 2 of the J W Hunt Cup with a hard earned win against an impressive Walsall Town Swifts.
With Ryan Jones, Daniel Bolzon and Liam Smith all unavailable and Lucas Hough, Sam Causton and Leon Taylor all relegated to the substitutes bench a disjointed Darlaston performance finally edged passed Swifts with 3 goals in the final 13 minutes.
Early chances in the first half fell to Darlaston’s Stevenson, Agyemang, Glasby and Romano Graham whilst Kieron Northwood had an early chance for the visitors.
Swifts forward line was littered with Midland League Premier Division quality with former Chasetown striker Craig Bannister impressing alongside Dante Taylor whilst former AFC Wulfs and Sporting Khalsa striker Kieron Northwood and ex Heather St John and Khalsa forward Simeon Townsend making the attacking four a forward line that would grace most Premier Division teams.
A mistake by Scott Glasby on 15 minutes allowed Townsend to get beyond the home defence, his snap shot was parried by home keeper Liam Whittaker, Dante Taylor was first to respond his 6 yard finish giving the visitors the lead.
Five minutes later Luke Charlton thought he had netted the equaliser with his first goal of the season. Charlton burst through the visitors defence into the penalty area, rounded keeper Gavin Ellis and from an acute angle his goal bound shot was superbly cleared off the line by defender Matty Bestall with a last ditch clearance.
The game turned into a scrappy midfield battle with Swifts having the edge as the home side could not gain any momentum as pass after pass was over hit or went astray. Winwood and Strazzanti impressed for the visitors picking up loose passes and setting up opportunities for Taylor to show his pace and Bannister to show his quality with some excellent touches and flicks.
Taylor hit the outside of the post, Bannister brought out a comfortable save from Whittaker and Townsend shot wide as the visitors looked to press home their advantage whilst Graham and Stevenson both shot high over the bar before on the stroke of half time Graham again blazed over the bar when well placed.
A lack lustre and disjointed first half performance from the home side did’nt not get any better in the opening stages of the second half. Dante Taylor netted his and Swifts second goal on 54 minutes converting at the near post following a Craig Bannister cross after a poor clearance by the Darlaston defence.
Swifts continued to have the edge without ever dominating proceedings as the home side continued to lack any quality and penetration, confined to long range efforts and half chances.
Two substitutions along with a change in formation by Darlaston boss Andy Parkes changed the course of the game. Leon Taylor replaced Scott Glasby and Lucas Hough replaced Jamie Holder. The changes immediately created an increased desire and goal threat as for the first time in the game as Darlaston started to assert some pressure on the visitors defence. Scott Stevenson (twice), Luke Charlton and Aiden Blackham all shot high over the bar from distance whilst Leon Taylor's 72nd minute header went inches over the bar.
Darlaston were now showing tremendous character and the quality of their play was a far cry from the opening 60 minutes, it was only a matter of time before their renewed energy paid dividends. It was Lucas Hough who got the all-important first goal for the home side netting his second goal in two games on 77 minutes, a superbly placed power header into the top right-hand corner giving keeper Ellis no chance.
The goal not only energised Hough's team mates but also brought the large home contingent to life and five minutes later Darlaston were on level terms with a goal of the highest quality. The impressive Ricardo Ricketts played in a 25-yard free kick to the feet of Taylor who swivelled on a sixpence to lose his defender and in the blink of an eye unleashed an unstoppable low drive with keeper Ellis rooted to the spot.
Darlaston were now on top, substitute Adam Cole header over and Zico Agyemang brought a stunning diving save from keeper Ellis tipping his 8-yard header over the bar on 88 minutes.
On 89 minutes Darlaston broke the hearts of a hardworking and talented Swifts side with the winning goal. Taylor again on target and Ricketts the provider. Stevenson's corner was only partially cleared to Ricketts who crossed for Taylor to head home his second goal of the game and 10th of the season. Swifts midfielder Winwood was sin binned for dissent and deep into injury time was shown the red card for further comments made to the Assistant Referee and Referee.
Swifts will feel harshly done by as their performance in the opening 60 minutes merited at least a draw but the fighting spirit and extra quality and desire of Darlaston in the final 30 minutes eventually secured a second round tie.