Promotion to the Northern Premier League was the prize on offer to these two teams in the Midland League Premier Division Play Off Final. A crowd of 1,110 witnessed an excellent hard fought game, played in fine spirit, at the impressive Trade Tyre Community Stadium.

It was the visitors who took the prize with goals from Kieran Cook, Josh Jones and Kieron Miller eventually settling this tight and tense affair.

Darlaston got off to a dream start with a goal after just two minutes. Jake Pearson intercepted a Leighton McMenemy pass, his interception allowing Cook to break clear of the home defence, as keeper James Beeson, advanced to narrow the angle, Cook calmly chipped Beeson, the keeper's hand could not stop the ball entering the net, sending the large travelling contingent into raptures.

The goal settled the nerves of the visitors and they had the better of the early stages and the first half. Cook and Rivel Mardenborough were lively up front with Pearson, Ryan Winwood, Jack Downing and Aaron Bishop impressing in midfield. Former Chasetown striker Liam Kirton was a livewire up front for Lichfield whilst Luke Childs impressed in midfield and McMenemy superb at the heart of the home defence.

Kirton had a good chance to equalise, his 16 yard volley going over the bar whilst at the other end Mardenborough broke clear, his final ball into the box intercepted by a defender with Downing ready to pounce. Darlaston keeper Tom Allsopp did well saving at the feet of Kirton and tipping over a Childs shot. Bishop heading over the bar for the visitors from 8 yards.

The visitors doubled their lead on 29 minutes. Not for the first time Pearson broke up a Lichfield move, laying the ball off to Mardenborough who did well to retain possession before setting up youngster Harry Chesterton to cross into the box from wide left. His cross evaded Cook and a Lichfield defender, Jones first to react, nipping in ahead of his marker to head home beyond Beeson from 6 yards.

For much of the half the game ebbed and flowed, both sides playing good quality football, keeping the large crowd enthralled. The visitors went into the half time break two goals to the good.

The next goal was always going to be important. Either putting the game beyond the reach of Lichfield or getting them back into the game.

Within two minutes of the restart, it was Lichfield who got themselves back into the game. Lewi Burnside stealing in unmarked at the back post to head home a Jack Edwards cross, giving Allsopp no chance.

The goal gave the visitors confidence and for 20 minutes, or so, they pushed on in search of an equaliser although clear cut chances were few and far between. Jude Taylor couldn't quite get enough power into a close range header whilst substitute Demetri Brown had two 20 yard shots saved by Allsopp. the first comfortably saved by Allsopp, the second pushed over the bar by Allsopp.

Darlaston re grouped and the back four of Jones, Ben Podmore, Alex Foreshaw and Harry Chesterton stood firm repelling the visitors attacks with some superb and at times, last ditch defending.

The final 20 minutes were pretty even neither side creating a clear cut chance until the final five minutes. In search of an equaliser Lichfield threw the kitchen sink at Darlaston, understandably their attacking play left exposed at the back. Darlaston nearly took advantage of this, some good work by Pearson saw him win the ball and break clear, laying off an excellent pass just inside his own half to substitute Charlie Manners. Manners pace took him clear, before side stepping a defender and the keeper, his 8 yard shot cleared off the line by Elkes.

As the game entered time added on two Lichfield free kicks came to nothing. Podmore heading the second free kick clear and with every Lichfield outfield player in the visitors half, substitute Miller broke clear unopposed to run 50 yards to score Darlaston's third from 16 yards, Beeson getting a hand to his shot before it entered the net.

After the game an exhausted Darlaston boss Dean Gill commented " Very few words from me today. Both sides were very good today and I have great respect for Ivor (Green - Lichfield manager) and his players, they were all great today, absolute gentlemen from the moment we arrived. Of course, I am delighted with the win and proud of every single player, I will enjoy tonight have a short rest and then start looking forward to next season. The support today was immense, and our supporters have been brilliant all season".