The football season got under way at The Paycare Ground with Darlaston picking up all three points in a tight affair against an excellent Old Wulfs side. Despite heavy downpours in the morning the game was mostly played in bright sunshine on a superb playing surface in front of the third consecutive crowd of more than 100.

Darlaston made a bright start and had the better of the early exchanges with little penetration. The visitors responded and quickly asserted themselves with some excellent forward play. The pace and trickery of man of the match Noah Diallo and Keenan Barrett creating real difficulties for an at times over worked Darlaston defence. Diallo was a thorn in the home team's side all game bringing three excellent saves from the impressive Aaron Morris in the Darlaston goal. Firstly an angled shot from 20 yards brought a superb diving save from Morris, then Morris blocked with his legs as Diallo burst in to the box and the keeper was again in action with a finger tip save low to his left.

Despite their pressure the visitors did not have it all their own way and some neat flowing football from the home side created half chances for Hayden Hughes and Scott Broadway but the visiting keeper Jamie Bostock saved easily on both occasions.

Old Wulfs had the better of the half with Darlaston fortunate to go into the break all square.

The visitors were made to rue their missed chances as Darlaston scored the only goal of the game in the first minute of the second half. With their best move of the game Hughes and Seweryn Brzostowski combined well on the right to set up Martin Stanton who slipped past his marker to poke home from 6 yards into the top corner beyond the advancing Bostock.

The goal gave the home side confidence and the second half was more evenly contested, both sides playing neat controlled football. Adam Broom and Jack Rowley were superb at the heart of the Old Wulfs defence setting up Billy Morgan and Liam McEnoy to make attacking midfield runs. For the home side Lucas Hough and Ryan McAllister were rock solid whilst Luke Charlton, Dave Richards and Ant Follows worked tirelessly in midfield to thwart the visitors attacking threat whilst also setting up opportunities for Hughes and Broadway.

As the 2nd half progressed it became clear that it was to be Darlaston's day and whilst the visitors were lively up front, the Darlaston defence were resolute and keeper Morris in magnificent form. The home side had the best two chances of the half as they looked to extend their lead and put the game beyond the visitors reach. Firstly Broadway brought the ball down and swivelled some 25 yards out unleashing a viciously swerving volley which beat keeper Bostick all ends up before thudding against the cross bar and rebounding to safety. In the closing minutes Hughes looked to have settled the game , he out muscled Jack Rowley to get clear in the box but, to the despair of the Darlaston faithful his 8 yard shot hit the legs of Bostick.

Some late Old Wulfs pressure was repelled and the home side held out for the three points.

On this evidence both sides will have a good season with top 6 finishes predicted.

Darlaston are again at home this Saturday at the Paycare Ground, Bentley Leisure Pavilion, Bentley Road North, Bentley WS2 0EA. Oswestry based St Martins are the visitors KO 3.00pm.

Neil Chambers