Darlaston lose out by the odd goal in a pulsating game at Wem

In a pulsating game in deepest Shropshire, Darlaston failed to avenge their only defeat of the season going down by the odd goal in five to an excellent Wem Town who made it five consecutive League wins to leapfrog their visitors into fifth spot.

Manager Andy Parkes was again forced into changes due to injury and availability, Luke Charlton and Lucas Hough made way in the starting line-up for Liam Cox and Dave Richards who was returning from injury. On the bench Manager Parkes also included Sam Baxter, Addy Allen and new signing Ant Nicholls.

The visitors made an excellent start and were ahead in the 4th minute. Hayden Hughes and Scott Broadway exchanged passes and as Broadway cut across the penalty area he was brought down by Michael Owen. Sam Giles stepped up to take the resulting spot kick beating the outstretched hand of keeper Mark Hawkins. The home side responded with Paddy Townsend forcing keeper Aaron Morris into action and Dave Walbyoff shooting off target on two occasions.

On 11 minutes Wem had keeper Hawkins to thank as he was quick off his line to deny Broadway a certain goal, blocking the striker's 10 yard shot with his legs, following some excellent play by Hughes.

The front three of Wem were impressive as they pushed forward for the equaliser Chris Peel and Walbyoff both missing half chances. The visitors were finding it difficult to keep the home side at bay with the superb Paddy Townsend pulling the strings in midfield. The home side thought they had equalised in the 28th minute when substitute Jordan Bachelor cut in from the left to unleash a superb curling shot from 25 yards which struck the foot of the post and rebounded to safety. The pressure on the visitors was now intense, Walbyoff despite looking five yards off side brought a superb blocked save from Morris but from the resulting corner the visitors equalised. Tim Astley's left-wing corner was met by Matt Cohen and found James Astley who slotted home from six yards.

Wem were having the better of the exchanges, Bachelor had two efforts blocked, before it was third time lucky in the 36th minute as he put the home side ahead after being set up by right back Luke Thomas. A Matt Cohen header skimmed the bar whilst at the other end Hughes had a header well saved by Hawkins and Owen denied Broadway a clear shot at goal.

The visitors opened the second half brightly with Hughes and Giles both failing to beat Hawkins from the edge of the box. Wem responded with Sev Brzostowski clearing a Chris peel shot off the line with a superb defensive header.

Both teams were playing some excellent expansive football and as challenges flew in the game was reaching boiling point. Hughes and Broadway missed difficult chances to equalise before Wem doubled their lead, Astley again the scorer poaching his second goal from three yards following a goalmouth scramble after Morris had made a save at the base of his right-hand post.

Darlaston refused to lie down and set up a rousing final 20 minutes when substitute Ant Nicholls laid the ball back for Brzostowski whose first-time left-wing cross was met by Broadway with a superb 12-yard header which he steered past Hawkins in the Wem goal.

The game was now an end to end affair with Walbyoff and Bachelor both holding the ball up well to frustrate the visitors whilst Townsend continued to prompt and probe with some excellent incisive passing setting up chances for Cohen and Thomas. Darlaston pushed forward desperate for the equaliser, Zuki Stanton and Broadway both having headers which failed to trouble keeper Hawkins.

Despite intense pressure from the visitors Wem held out comfortably in the last 10 minutes for a well-deserved win.

This Saturday Darlaston are in cup action when they entertain Coventry Alliance Premier League team Christ the King FC in the Birmingham County FA Vase 2nd Round. Kick-off is 2.00pm at The Paycare Ground, Bentley Leisure Pavilion, Bentley Road North, Bentley, Walsall WS2 0EA.

Also, Darlaston face an away fixture in the JW Hunt Cup against the impressive Atherstone Town who conquered Lye Town in the previous Road from the Total Motion Midlands Football League. The match will be played at Mark Webster Community Stadium, Sheepy Road, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 3AD Kick off 7.45pm