Just about every football cliche you can think of describes this game between "Darlo" and the Lockmen. "Football is a funny old game", "a game of two halves", "it is never over until the fat lady sings" and "the fans are on the edge of their seats" are just some that describe events at this Black Country derby between these two former giants of West Midlands League football.

The game had everything keeping the 141 crowd enthralled until the final whistle. Eight goals, a sending off, a penalty, a hat trick , chances galore and an equaliser deep into stoppage time were just some of the highlights at The Paycare Ground.

Both sides opened brightly but it was the home side who deservedly broke the deadlock in the 9th minute. Hayden Hughes slipped past Willenhall defender Richard Wharton just inside the box, and was tripped leaving the referee no alternative but to point to the spot. Ricky Kelly stepped up to convert giving the keeper no chance.

With Darlo riding high with maximum points and Willenhall lacking confidence pointless after two games the neutral may have expected the home side to push on. Willenhall were having none of it showing superb fighting spirit and plenty of skill and pace. Whilst the home side were playing the more cultured football their passing game was slow and laboured at times and the visitors were tenacious and competing for every ball.

On 18 minutes Scott Broadway hit the bar for the home side and both Hughes and Kelly had shots on target without really troubling the visiting keeper. Willenhall were getting a foothold back in the game with Jamal Jakeman impressive down the left flank without creating any clear cut opportunities.

Despite the visitors enterprising play it was poor defensive play which brought about a rather fortuitous circumstances in the 31st minute. Some sloppy defensive play across the 18 yard line by the home defence eventually saw Sam Causton's misdirected header back to Aaron Morris evade the home keeper to give Willenhall the confidence boost their fighting qualities deserved.

Ten minutes later the home side restored their lead. Sam Giles made ground down the right, whipping in a superb low cross which was turned home by Hughes from 10 yards sending them a goal up into the half time break. Deep into first half stoppage time Hughes was again on the scoresheet , Willenhall defenders failing to clear following a goal mouth scramble.

Just minutes into the second half Martin Stanton had the chance to put the game beyond the visitors. The defender rose high to a Giles corner but fluffed his header and Broadway also had a ten yard angled drive well saved early in the half.

The two goal cushion should have given the home team confidence but their passing game was still not as fluent as in recent games and the visitors continued to look dangerous in brief spells. The visitors continued to push forward looking to get back into the game and their enterprising play was rewarded in the 56th minute. Jamal Jakeman cutting inside the box to shoot underneath keeper Morris from 8 yards. In the aftermath of the goal Darlaston's Lucas Hough was sent off following an off the ball incident.

The visitors were buoyed by the goal and with a man advantage they pressed hard for the equaliser which came on 61 minutes, Ashley Challoner Campbell driving home from the edge of the penalty area.

Ryan Downing and Giovannie Shaw for the visitors and Broadway, Giles and Ant Follows for the home side all had shots off target.

Despite being down to 10 men Darlaston were having the better of the play and Hughes was rewarded with his hat trick goal on 71 minutes. A through ball from Causton saw the centre forward out muscle Wharton before rounding the keeper and slotting home from 8 yards.

Kelly, Follows, McAllsiter and Melia all failed to trouble the keeper with half chances whilst Jakeman was also off target for the visitors.

Deep into injury time Willenhall grabbed a dramatic point to break the hearts of the home defence. A long ball evaded the home defenders , Ross Fox finding himself free in the box easily beating Morris from 12 yards. Immediately following the restart the referee blew the final whistle.

Whilst Darlaston had the better of the play and the clearer chances it was perhaps fitting that the hard work and enterprise of the visitors ensured this first Black Country derby in more than 4 years ended honours even.

Darlaston's next league game is another local derby away at Tipton Town this coming Wednesday 23rd August kickoff 7.45 pm at Tipton Sports Academy this coming Wednesday

Darlaston are without a game for sixteen days with Worcester Raiders visiting the Paycare Ground on Saturday 9 September KO 3.00pm for what could be a really important game

Neil Chambers