Darlaston welcomed local Black Country rivals Tividale to their Paycare Stadium to bring a close on their record breaking first season in step 5 of the NLS.

Manager, Dean Gill made changes to his line-up once again after 872 thumping of league runners up lie town on Wednesday evening Bradley Clarkson coming replacing Jack Myatt in goal, along with Ben Podmore, and Liam Wilkinson who both returned to the starting line-up to replace Ben Priest and Liam Smith who dropped down to the bench.

Darlaston Town started the game very much on the front foot, attacking at every opportunity from out wide, putting their visitors under pressure. Making sure Tividale’s defensive line was stretched. Darlaston were unlucky not to take the lead in the 12th minute a Rivel Mardenborough snapshot just shaving the outside of the far post following and angled drive.

As the game progressed Tividale found their feet with the impressive Jack Fletcher working hard always trying to get the visitors moving forward along with his midfield colleagues Jason Wood and Malcolm Melvin who were starting to break up giving their defensive partnership of Boroughs and Ezewele some rest bite.

Darlaston Town, took the lead on 26 minutes with an outstanding finish from Rivel Mardenborough, who restarted play with a quickly taken throw in, the ball fell to Mitch Botfield who’s well weighted through ball was met by the advancing forward, Mardenborough’ s powerful finish gave Tivi’s keeper Connor no chance and found the far side of the net giving Darlaston a deserved 1-0 lead.

The visitor’s response was to keep attacking the home side Dan Smith was starting to hold off the home defence, bring his teammates into play, Ellis and fellow forward Arman Khoshkhoo benefitting with efforts on Clarkson’s goal.

With just 8 minutes left to the interval the dominance of the game changed. Darlaston doubled their lead the busy Mason sending a 45-yard raking diagonal pass to fellow full back Jones, who just on the by-line pulled the ball back to ex Tividale man Downing, his sublime cross was met with a Reece Mason bullet header beating the static Connor.

Three minutes later after efforts on goal by Podmore, Mardenborough and Botfield following a corner, Mason’s shot was adjudged to be handled by Melvin by Referee Sudbury. Mardenborough who scored a hat-trick on Wednesday saw his effort save by keeper Connor.

Despite the disappointment the home support did not have to wait long for a third goal, and this was another outstanding finish by another ex-Tividale player Liam Wilkinson. Mardenborough after beating the offside trap had seen his effort save by the now busy Connor, he collected the ball out wide on Darlo’s left, and played the ball into the path of Wilkinson, his rocket of a shot went in via the inside of the left hand post to raise even more cheers from the home supporters giving Darlaston a three goal advantage two minutes before the half time interval.

The second half started very the same as the first, but both managers made substitutions starting around 55 minutes. Tividale scored in the 61st minute to give them a lifeline, the impressive and busy Arman Khoshkhoo took advantage of some unusual space on the edge of Darlaston’s box, his well struck right foot finish flew past Clarkson giving the visitors some hope of extending their five-game unbeaten run.

This was soon extinguished just two minutes later. A needless foul on Darlaston substitute Tyler Bruck proved costly. Mitch Bitfield’s free kick was met 12 yards out by the forehead of Liam Smith, his outstanding header from 12 yards out beat the again static Connor give Darlaston a 4-1 win to end the season and ensuring a 4th place finish. What a magnificent achievement that is.

Following the game manager, Dean Gill said “I am absolutely delighted the way the lads have finished off the season, scoring 11 goals in the last two home games securing 4th place. They have been outstanding all season of excelled in all areas, they have been an absolute team of winners now have done me the staff and the club they work so hard every week and as they say we have proved ‘Hard Work pays off.’

We are delighted the club has finished 4th in the table, its highest ever finish, we are delighted to have been very much at the heart of the achievement. Everyone should be extremely proud of what has been achieved this season before we kicked a ball in August last year we hoped for a mid-table finish, the experiences and things that we have learnt this season have seen as developed into a close net tight group and all of this will stand as seen in good stead for next season and seasons to come,

Finally, I would like to thank our for the unconditional support that you have given us this season home and away. It’s humbling me and all of the players to the extent that some of the supporters spend hours, travelling on public transport by road and rail, and in some instances, expensive taxi rides to watch, our team play. Next season will come around quickly but rest assured we will do our upmost to ensure that we are prepared for what is to come.

Please enjoy your summer break and look forward to seeing you soon.