Darlaston once again travelled in Shropshire this time to face last year's West Midlands (Regional) League Division Two Champions Telford Juniors. Manager Andy Parkes was once again forced into making changes, nine players were unavailable, with further players out injured and suspended his squad was severely depleted.

The third week running Parkes was also forced to make a late change to his starting line-up because of issues in the warm up because of players Ty being unfit or unwell. This week there were four changes from last week’s home loss against Newport Town out went Kieran Payne Dave Richards and Ant Follows together with the suspended Scott Broadway. In came Lucas Hough and Tyrone Clarke both returning from injury, together with James Filkins and the surprise addition of Ashley Justin who is still able to play because of dual League Registration.

Before most supporters had taken their positions around pitch side Darlaston took the lead. Telford conceded a free kick on Darlaston’s wide right-hand side, Sam Giles’s excellent taken free kick was forced home by Hayden Hughes 1-0 to Darlaston in the first minute of the game.
It was all Darlaston for the first 10 minutes as shell shocked Telford Juniors could not deal with fast pace and closing down of Manager Andy Parkes team. Further chances from Hayden Hughes and Leon Taylor was saved by Telford keeper and captain Ryan Assan.

Telford we're working hard to get back into the game, last season's top scorer Ross Jones forced keeping Morris into his first save of the afternoon just after 10 minutes and Jeff Watkins missed the target shortly afterwards. Telford were no gaining a foothold in the game. Their best chance of the half came after 19 minutes Ross Jones after a run against Ashley Justin fashioned his own chance, his curing right foot shot hitting the base of Darlaston’s left hand post.

Telford were starting to dominate the game with efforts on goal from Danny Hickling, Dave Thomas, Jeff Watkins and Patrick Udah who together with Ross Jones (3) were all blocked or missed the target.

Darlaston despite their best endeavours and their continued hard work could not retain possession or build any pressure on Telford’s defence not helped by a poor quality uneven and very bumpy pitch.

Despite all of Telford’s efforts they never really looked like scoring because Darlaston’s defence was well martialled by Ryan McAllister Ashley Justin and Martin Stanton and the hard-working Lucas Hough at the base of the midfield. The only relief Darlaston had from Telford attacking was wide men Sam Giles and Tyrone Clarke who always looked dangerous.

As half-time got closer Darlaston managed to fashion a chance with a Sam Giles effort from wide on the right-hand side blocked by Telford’s covering Centre Half Dave Thomas.

The second half started very much the same as the first in the first minute Telford Juniors conceded a free kick this time centrally, just outside the penalty area following a foul on Leon Taylor. Sam Giles’s curling free kick was saved by a flying Ryan Assan by his left-hand post.
Telford started the second half much better than first with efforts from Luke Dent and Danny Hickling on 48 minutes. But after 51 minutes the scores were level, top scorer Ross Jones running on the left-hand side, past Ashley Justin unleashed a stinging shot which rebounded of keeping Morris’s right-hand post directly to the feet of Danny Hickling who just passed the ball into the base of the neck bringing the scores level at 1-1.

Darlaston responded with Tyrone Clarke effort straight from the kick-off, a second effort from Clarke forced keeper Assan into a save. Good work from Sam Giles on the right-hand side presented Hayden Hughes with a headed chance which was a touch too high for him to get on target and just went over the bar.

On 61 minutes Luke Dent, Telford Juniors midfielder right foot shot forced keeper Aaron Morris into a flying save pushing the ball onto his post and the following up header from Dent thankfully looped into keeper Morris’s hands when it looked easier to score.

More good work on Darlaston’s right presented Leon Taylor a chance which was once again saved by the now busy Telford keeper Ryan Aston. Two minutes later after 65 minutes following a hotly disputed freekick wide on Darlaston’s left hand side Tyrone Clarke expertly delivered a curling pacey free kick which was met by a deft deflected header by Martin Stanton which nestled just inside Telford Juniors left hand post putting Darlaston back into the lead at 2-1.

By this time the weather had taken a severe turn for the worst not only was it cold but now it was raining in the Rain was falling heavily making conditions very slippery and difficult for the players.

Both sides made substitutions which seems to slide which seems to slightly disjoint the game Telford pressing forward for an equaliser forcing Darlaston deeper to their half. On 77 minutes a fine ball, out of defence from Ashley Justin inside the Telford Juniors left back found the onrushing Sam Giles who ran on managing to keep the ball under control on the uneven pitch to beat Telford Juniors keeper Assan to put Darlaston 3-1 in front.

Despite Telford’s best efforts and endeavours, they could not find or create any attempts on goals because of Darlaston’s defensive unit who were working real hard to ensure the game was one. Telford only managed one other chance a Luke Dent effort which was blocked by the Darlaston defence.

Darlaston return with three points manager Andy Parkes was delighted and said after the game “We have experience of Telford Juniors we know how difficult and hard it was going to be to come over here this afternoon on a small uneven and bumpy pitch. We also know about Telford’s battling qualities, so we knew it was going to be a difficult to game, to secure it all three points. I am delighted not with the performance but with the players effort and endeavour which could not be questioned”.

On behalf up the club manager and players I would like to personally thank all of Darlaston supporters who travelled to yesterday's game because of the mix-up with postcodes the poor weather, cold conditions it was not a pleasant afternoon it certainly makes it more enjoyable for the players knowing but Darlaston’s hardcore supporters will be there to cheer them up THANK YOU

Next week sees Darlaston back at The Paycare Ground once again to face Wrens Nest in the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One fixture kick-off is it is at 2 p.m. So please come down and support the lads it's a good excuse to get out of Christmas shopping.