With nine new faces in their matchday squad Darlaston Town travelled to Hellenic Premier League side Pershore Town for this Emirates FA Cup game. Despite taking an early lead the new look side fell to a devastating 95th minute defeat, to end their FA Cup dream for another season.

In glorious sunshine, Darlaston made a dream start and were ahead as early as the sixth minute. Jack Downing's cross into the box was flicked on by debutant Ash De Mulder, the ball hitting the bar and rebounding into the path of another debutant Jake Collins who headed home from 3 yards.

The rock hard playing surface was not conducive to playing quality football by either side as both teams gave away possession and found it difficult to retain the ball and create any clear cut chances.

Former Redditch United midfielder Macauley King impressed for Pershore, pulling the strings looking to get the ball beyond the visitors defence at every opportunity.

Collins hit a half chance wide for the visitors, but neither keeper was unduly troubled, defences on top thwarting danger and minimising any clear shots at goal.

The equaliser came in first half added time. A long ball evaded Kyle Pearson, eventually falling to Reece Day in the penalty area, the former Worcester City striker twisting and turning before slotting home from 6 yards beyond keeper Zac Prior.

The second half was a similar pattern to the first half. Neither side dominating or enjoying long periods of possession. The heat and the rock hard pitch taking its toll, both sides continuing to struggle to retain the ball and create any clear chances.

For the home side King hit a long range effort high and wide whilst Day threatened without getting a clear shot at goal. For the visitor’s debutant Kieron Berry just failed to get clean contact from 10 yards after combining well with Collins.

The game looked as though it was petering out into a draw until the 5th minute of second half added time. A rare mistake in the Darlaston defence failing to clear a long throw, the ball eventually falling to Day who brought a fine parried save from debutant keeper Prior, Griffiths pouncing on the rebound to shoot home from 3 yards. A devastating blow to the visitors when a draw would probably have been a fair result. The referee blew the final whistle literally 30 seconds later.

Despite the disappointment, Darlaston must now regroup in preparation for their debut, on Saturday, in the Northern Premier League West Division when they make the long trip to Manchester, where they face Trafford kick off 3.00pm.

The clubs photographer Button Oak Photography will be with us for the coming season, and they made the trip to South Worcestershire to cover the game, as always their album of the game is available on the website by clicking Pershore Town - FA Cup

The move to a new Division means that Trafford are one of only four teams in the League that Darlaston have played before. Thirty years ago in the 1995/96 season, Darlaston were then in the West Midlands League Premier Division, Trafford in the North West Counties League. the two sides met at Trafford in the FA Vase Second Round proper, Trafford winning 3-0. Trafford reached the 5th Round before losing 1-0 to eventual Wembley winners Brigg Town.