The unbeaten run comes to an end after the unlucky 13th game

The day started with Darlaston Town looking to make up ground on the teams above them and continue their unbeaten start to the season. Manager Parkes was forced into a single change, diminutive midfielder Dave Richards was suffering a recurrence of his hamstring pull earlier in the season being replaced by Ant Follows, himself returning from an ankle knock. Dave has been in great form recently and has been one of the reasons why the team has been successful.

Wem Town turned up to The Paycare Ground after winning their last two games, the last a resounding 4-0 beating of then League Leaders Team Dudley.

Before the game started a minute, applause was held to commemorate the sad loss of long time Darlaston Supporter Alfred Bould who sadly past away on 15th October after a long-term battle with cancer. Great grandson Ryan and grandson Matthew stood with both teams and officials on the centre circle for the celebration. Pride of place in the centre was a floral tribute carrying the Darlaston Town (1874) badge, the other family members stayed behind the barriers to lead the applause.

The game kicked off in dry warm weather, but a tricky wind caused both sides problems in the opening minutes, after Wem Town started the half with the wind at their backs, their first effort of the match coming from James Astley who missed the target.

Darlaston were having the same old issue in not being able to hold onto the ball for more than three passes, looking for the Hollywood pass instead of the simple one. There first effort was after 9 minutes Scott Broadway after Hayden Hughes had battled and chased a lost cause out muscling one of the Wem centre backs and squaring the ball for Broadway to force keeper Worthington into the first save of the game. Hughes himself forced the keeper into action again two minutes later.

Wem Town, started to dominate the midfield areas and the attacking players were making life very difficult for the home defence with intelligent runs, Darlaston were starting to struggle committing fouls on a regular basis, and continuing to give the ball away making it easy for the Wem Town defence to mop up.

As the half was coming to a close Wem struck with devastating effect scoring three goals inside 7 minutes, the half time whistle saved Darlaston further embarrassment.

The first a shot from just inside the are from centre forward Dave Walbyoff which crept under the body of Darlaston keeper Morris after 37 minutes. The second a sweet Chris Peel finish after good work from Callum Briscoe after 42 minutes. Two minutes later the best goal of the half was saved for the last a fine strike from Wem skipper Paddy Townsend which across the Darlaston keeper despite Morris’s best efforts and a good hand to the ball.

Wem managed yet another effort from James Astley before the half-ended Morris again saving Darlaston’s blushes. Could Manager Parkes produce one of inspirational half time team talks as he has done all too often in recent weeks.

The answer was no, the second half began with yet another effort from James Astley forced the Darlaston keeper into action again. Darlaston tried to create chances, Sam Giles working his socks off down the right putting several quality balls into the danger area but no Darlaston players got anywhere near them and keeper Dean Worthington was able to collect the ball unchallenged. Darlaston’s best and only effort of note in the half was a Scott Broadway cross shot from the right across Wem’s keeper, which Worthington helped round the post in a one handed save.

The spectators could see Darlaston’s players frustrations, they worked hard, but could not create or maintain any pressure on Wem’s midfield or defence, all efforts were dealt with comfortably. Kieran Payne’s frustrations were taken out on Wem’s caption Townsend following a needless challenge the Referee went to his book, issuing Payne with his yellow card on 57 minutes.

Wem increased their lead to 4-0 skipper Paddy Townsend with his second of the game following a huge error in judgement by the Darlaston defence, allowing him in with just Morris to beat. Wem’s fifth four minutes later was an excellent free kick from 23 yards. Chris Peel struck an outstanding shot deceiving Darlaston’s keeper Morris leaving him routed to the spot. This after left back Rhys Mellings had ran unchallenged from half way in his own half to the edge of the Darlaston penalty area only to be upended by Ryan McAllister.

Wem’s final goal of the game, came on75 mins, a quick break from a rare Darlaston attack saw substitute Harry Murphy notice Aaron Morris far from his line and deftly chipped him from more than 40 yards, the ball landing at the base of the net.

The remainder of the game just saw Wem able to deal with anything the Darlaston team tried to do with ease, Wem never needed to get of second gear, and returned to Shropshire ending Darlaston’s unbeaten twelve game run

Manager Andy Parkes will have to rally his troops this week as they travel across Wolverhampton face second placed Old Wulfrunians next week kick off is 2 pm, and then the following week travel to Wem Town for the return fixture.