This first ever meeting between the two clubs ended all square following an evenly contested affair, both sides giving their all and after 90 minutes either team might have nicked a win. Overall though a point a piece was probably a fair result.

Last season's top goalscorer Kieran Cook returned to the club following his midweek transfer from Chasetown, but inspirational skipper Alex Foreshaw was still absent. serving the last game of a three game suspension.

The opening stages was a cagey affair, both sides sizing up each other, no quarter given. An early Nantwich corner came to nothing, as did the home sides, both defences were in charge.

Darlaston's first chance fell to Callum Knowles. Good work down the right by Bailey Storey saw his cross only partially cleared to Collins who swivelled 12 yards out with some sublime skill, his shot landing on the roof of the net.

Chances were pretty much non existent, neither side having any spells of pressure and neither keeper called into action. the best chance of the half to date fell to Nantwich striker Harry Bowers whose curling shot from the edge of the box brought a fine one handed save from keeper Stan Amos, tipping over the bar.

In a rare piece of quality Darlaston took the lead on 41 minutes. Full back Bailey Storey won the ball just inside his own half, making a powerful 40 yard run into the box, his low driven cross was behind Callum Knowles but the cross found the onrushing Cook at the back post to slot home from 12 yards.

As the half drew to a close Cook was inches wide following a glancing header which person narrowly failed to connect too at the far post.

The second half saw the home side start brightly, a Callum Knowles header tamely into the hands of keeper Garratt and Ollie West driving over the bar from 22 yards.

A moment of controversy midway through the half when the referee was the only person in the ground not to see a penalty when a lunging tackle on Cook inside the box went unpunished.

Nantwich were pushing forward more, Alex Panter impressing with his hold up play and excellent movement whilst Byron Moore forced a comfortable save from Amos with a 22 yard low driven shot. A superb tackle on the edge of the box by Billy Corns denied Panter a shot at goal.

A rash of refereeing decisions perplexed both teams. A flailing arm caught Knowles in the eye resulting in a trip to hospital and minutes later Nantwich were denied a goal for a "soft" challenge on keeper Amos.

The equaliser came on 74 minutes, the impressive Panter the scorer, Panter pulled down a through ball, before switching feet and driving low and hard into the far corner beyond the outstretched right hand of keeper Amos.

The closing 20 minutes saw both sides create half chances as the game opened up. Jake Collins shot wide from 10 yards and Karsten Cairns shot over the bar from 8 yards for the home side, whilst home keeper Amos comfortably saved a 25 yard free kick.

Overall, a fair result, neither side dominating possession or creating many clear-cut chances.

As always Button Oak Photography covered the game, their images are available on the club website by clicking Nantwich Town - Home

Next up for Darlaston after a trip to Chasetown next Saturday is the visit of Bury to the Paycare Stadium on Wednesday 19 November. Tickets are on sale please click Bury Tickets - 19 November 2025 to order your tickets.