Darlaston's superb run of results continued as they beat an excellent Whitchurch Alport team in a hard fought 2-0 win, to extend their winning streak to 6 games. The result guarantees Darlaston a play-off spot in the Midland Football League Premier Division.

Manager Dean Gill made two changes to the starting line up that beat Highgate United in midweek. Kieran Cook was unavailable, and Jake Pearson was rested, Lewis Gill and Jason Wood returning to the starting eleven.

The opening stages were even, neither side getting the upper hand. As the half progressed Whitchurch played some excellent attacking football. Former Macclesfield and Telford United player Harry Bower and midfielder Adam Hailes, were particularly impressive making excellent runs down the right flank whilst former TNS youngster Lewis Bloor's pace was causing problems on the opposite flank.

Bower in particular showed excellent pace and trickery, taking him to the by line on several occasions, his crosses and drives across the face of goal all failing to find a team mate.
The action was not all one way, a Lewis Gill header was off target, and Alex Forshaw’s half hit effort was easily saved by keeper Jack Sheward.

Darlaston were dealt a blow when influential midfielder James Rowland left the field with what appeared to be a serious injury.

Whitchurch continued to have the better of the play, with some excellent passing football, giving the home side plenty of problems, Foreshaw and Ben Podmore needing to be in good form to repel the visitors attacks. Despite the quality of their player, the visitors chances were few and far between although glancing header by Parker, diverted the ball away from an onrushing team mate was well placed to head home at the back post.

The second half was just as pulsating as the first half. An early Lewis Gill free kick was cleared whilst a Whitchurch break saw Bloor's low cross, across the face of goal turned goalwards by Bower, luckily for the home side Chesterton was on hand the ball striking him virtually on the goal line.

Darlaston were indebted to Josh Jones on 63 minutes. A Darlaston corner was cleared and with virtually everyone up front, the corner was cleared resulting in a three man break lead by Adam Hailes from within his own half. Jones was the only defender, holding his position superbly allowing his colleagues to get back. Haies laid it off to Bower but by the time he could get his shot off, Darlaston defenders had got back to clear the danger.

Rivel, Mardenborough, Aaron Bishop and substitute Jack Downing were seeing more of the ball and Darlaston began to get a stronger foothold in the game. Some excellent play by Mardenborough down the left saw him beat his defender and cross for Jason Wood, unfortunately the midfielder could not get enough power on his header, keeper Sheward saving easily.

The introduction of substitutes Downing and Kieran Miller added pace and power to the home attack, both creating difficulties for the visitors back four.

The opening goal came on 65 minutes. Miller won the ball in his own half, Mardenborough's superb overlap down the left was rewarded with a superb pass over the head of the defender. Mardenborough raced into the box, turned his defender and laid the ball off to Downing who had intelligently pulled away from his marker. Downing's first shot from 6 yards was blocked by a defender, the rebound falling to Downing who made no mistake blasting home from 6 yards.

The goal relieved a lot of tension for the home players and supporters and visibly deflated the visitors.

Within two minutes Darlaston added a second goal. Pressure on a defender saw Mardenborough win a midfield header which fell into the path of Bishop. Bishop outpaced the defence before laying the ball into the path of Miller, who took a single touch before driving home from 16 yards beyond the outstretched hand of keeper Sheward.

The final 25 minutes were pretty uneventful, neither side creating further clear chances of note. The only attempt on goal being a Jason Wood 20 yard free kick which went high over the bar. Darlaston managed the final period well to secure their play off place with a 2-0 win.

Following the game boss Dean Gill reflected " Of course I am delighted that we have managed to secure a play-off spot but today I must congratulate Adam (Shillcock- Whitchurch manager) and his team for a fabulous performance. Their performance, particularly first half was as good as any against us this season or indeed last season. They knocked the ball about really well, matched us for work rate and had several excellent individual performances. They denied us space and some of their movement and passing was superb. Adam must be delighted with his team today, they were excellent.

That said, I am delighted with my own players as well. We dug in deep when we were put under some intense pressure, stayed focussed and weathered the storm. We eventually got ourselves into the game and in the end the substitutions were the difference. We stood firm and eventually our work rate and intensity got us two goals. We were tense today and the first goal was all important. We managed to get it and the tension left our bodies, and we became more relaxed on and off the pitch. The final 30 minutes or so we were more comfortable, and I thought we managed that period really well to deny them any chance of a goal and setting up a rebel rousing final few minutes.

We are now guaranteed to finish 3rd or 4th, that will match or better last season's 4th placed finish so I must be happy with that. We will now prepare for Stone away on Tuesday as we seek to get the point needed to guarantee a third place finish and give us a home game in the play-off semi final".