League leaders Newport Town’s visit to The Paycare Ground to face Darlaston Town (1874) to battle for three points as both teams are pushing for promotion this season. Newport Town ran out convincing 3-0 winners following another poor Darlaston Town performance, when in 90 minutes they could only create five chances on goal, against the visitors twenty-two.

If manager Andy Parkes and has squad want to finish in the Promotion places at the end of the season they will have to ensure that they win the remaining games against teams above and around them. So far, this season this hasn’t happened, seven matches have been played so far against teams above them in the table, winning two against old Wulfrunians, losing three against them major rivals Wem Town and Newport Town and finally drawing two against Worcester Raiders and Gornal Athletic both at home. Of these seven matches five have been at home, return fixtures against Newport Town, Worcester Raiders and Gornal Athletic are still to be played.

Manager Parkes was yet again forced into changing his starting team from last weekend’s win in the Birmingham County FA Vase game against Christ The King, in which Tyrone Clarke aggravated his already injured Hamstring. Hayden Hughes returned to the starting line-up to assist in a change in formation.

Darlaston started the game at a frenetic pace closing down new the Newport players at every opportunity. The first two chances of the game fell to Darlaston on 9 mins, Hughes and Broadways powerful efforts were blocked, these two chances were the only Darlaston efforts in the first half.

Newport weathered the storm and were now starting to find their passes. On 14 minutes Simon Jackson hit the inside of keeper Aaron Morris’s far post, following up Rob Millington looked certain to score but a fantastic block tackle from Luke Charlton blocked his goal bound effort. Further blocked shots from Bradley and once again Millington clearly showed that Newport were now in control and Darlaston’s defence was again under pressure. The impressive Newport front two of Rob Millington and Simon Jackson pulled Darlaston’s defence all over the place and were now starting to take over the game, Millington dropping into midfield to provide the link, and Jackson was always making searching runs into the channels.

Newport missed a great opportunity following a free kick wide on the right-hand side after a foul by Ant Follows. Defender Jack Davies missed the target, when he should have done better after an excellent delivery from Millington.

It was not long until Newport took the lead on 39 mins. Another foul conceded by Darlaston this time Dave Richards on Simon Jackson saw the free click floated into the Darlaston penalty area, a poor clearance fell to Newport’s midfielder Tom Bradley at the edge of the area who easily dispatched his shot passed the statuesque Darlaston defence and keeper Morris to opening the scoring. Newport have further efforts in the half again from Tom Bradley and Jack Davis.

Manager Andy Parkes needed to galvanise his troops at the half term break, delivering one of his inspirational team talks which have been successful on occasions this season.

Whatever was said at halftime was immaterial, two minutes into the second half Newport right back Tahli Harrigan ran unchallenged from just inside his own half to cross the ball to Simon Jackson who slotted the ball home to double Newport’s lead.

Darlaston created a rare opportunity following foul on Scott Broadway wide on Darlaston’s right, Sam Giles once again delivered a quality ball into the area, presenting defender Martin Stanton with a good chance which dropped straight into Andy Heal Newport’s keeper’s hands.
The game descended into a real physical scrappy affair on 54 minutes following a Scott Broadway foul on Graham Robertson close to Newport’s right corner flag, both players were booked for pushing and shoving.

Darlaston managed to create their fourth chance of the afternoon on 61 minutes Leon Tyler blasting the ball over the bar 10 yards when it looked easier to hit the target.

A second Darlaston player found his name in the referee’s notebook, Dave Richards received a yellow card for his poorly timed tackle on Rob Millington who made a meal of the incident.

On 67 minutes Scott Broadway had Darlaston fifth and final chance of the game, he was slow to react to another Sam Giles quality ball from the right and the chance was soon gone.

Newport Town were by now playing some quality football, Darlaston’s midfield has gone totally missing. After 77 minutes there was another flashpoint, Rob Millington involved again, a tackle by Kieran Payne left the Newport forward needlessly rolling around on the floor, after the tackle Darlaston defender Martin Stanton and Newport forward Simon Jackson, also found referee Simon Piaia opening his notebook for the third time for a flare up, this time adding Kieran Payne for the tackle together with Stanton and Jackson for their actions.

Newport Town were still not finished and on 82 minutes Graham Robertson missed a free header at the far post. Ed James missing the target and Robertson having further shots saved and blocked.

In the 89th minute Newport scored their third goal of the afternoon, following a Simon Jackson shot, Darlaston keeper Aaron Morris spilled the ball to the feet of Rob Millington who passed the ball into an empty net.

Newport Town’s 3-0 win cemented their place the top of West Midlands (Regional) League Division helped by Worcester Raiders having no game this weekend.

Next Saturday Darlaston travel to face Telford Juniors for a 2 p.m. kick off.