Darlaston Town (1874) managed not only beat Bromyard Town to secure a vital 3 points but also the weather. An already wet pitch which was perfectly playable at 11.30 am, but was then covered in snow putting the game in serious doubt.

Darlaston Town (1874) is a volunteer run organisation, every volunteer is as important as every other. However, there are certain times when volunteer’s efforts are greater and need recognition this is one of those such times. Serious thanks needs to go to Club Stalwart Gil Preece and his team of Dave and George have worked tirelessly and thanks to all their good work previously and yesterday in the snow that was the only reason that the game went ahead following a very late inspection by the referee on his arrival to the ground.

Because of the late inspection kick off was delayed by around five minutes and the spectators that braved the elements where duly rewarded with a fine full-blooded game of football, both sides intent on getting the win.

The match started with a bang, before the home supporters could reach their favourite spot Darlaston took the lead in the first minute. Tyrone Clarke O'Connor beat Bromyard’s right back Lloyd Wade crossing to Lucas Hough whose effort was parried by Bromyard Captain and keeper Alex Rhodes into the path of Sam Giles whose well hit shot from a tight angle found the net 1-0 to Darlaston. Sam Giles was not finished a minute later a second goal bound effort was save this time by keeper Rhodes.

Bromyard didn't have to wait long to get back in the game, a fine ball out of defence by Nathan Myers found forward Liam Hodges around 40 yards out, he took advantage of the time he was given by the Darlaston defence to produce a measured lob, beating the back-peddling Aaron Morris to level the scores at 1-1

Bromyard should have taken the lead in the 9th minute Dalmacio Francisco missed a golden chance with just to keeper to beat 8 yards out, Francisco missed the target. But Bromyard didn't have to wait much longer as in the 13 minutes they took the lead, a fine interchange of passes between forwards Martyn Smith and Liam Hodges left Hodges behind the Darlaston defence, to square the ball to the eon rushing Andy Hudson who just had Morris to beat which he did with ease.

Darlaston did not lie back and tried to get back into the game as soon as possible in the 16th minute Dave Richards having a blocked shot from the edge of the area and a Lucas Hough header was saved by Bromyard Captain.

Darlaston capitalised on their period of pressure equalising in the 20th minute, a pass from left back Ryan Jones behind the Bromyard defence lead to a race between Bromyard’s keeper and Darlaston’s forward Leon Taylor, Rhodes won the race, but whilst sliding on the wet surface dropped the ball which Taylor collected, ran wide, beating the keeper and two covering defenders with a fine finish to bring the game back level at 2-2.

After such an exciting and eventful 20 minute the remainder of the half descended into a midfield battle. Both sides cancelling each other out. Both teams were looking to get the ball wide at every opportunity, however it appeared to be more difficult to play out on the sides of the pitch rather than through the middle. The only efforts of note in the remainder of the half were two off target Bromyard efforts from Martin Smith and Liam Rogers who were both proving a handful for the Darlaston defence Martin Smith dropping deep into Bromyard Smithfield and Liam Hodges using his strength and always intelligent use of the ball.

The second half started very much the same as the first, unusually it's Darlaston so far, this season that have scored in the first five minutes of the second period. This time it was the visitors Andy Hudson picked the ball up just inside the Darlaston and was allowed to run 30 yards unchallenged and unleashed a powerful shot which forced Darlaston keeper Aaron Morris into a fine save, but he could only push the ball to Bromyard’s winger Dalmacio Francisco who followed up and scored to give Bromyard a 3-2 lead.

Bromyard were definitely in the ascendancy taking control of the game and further efforts on 50 minutes from Ryan Derrick blocked by a desperate diving home defence. The best chance of the second half fell once again to Francisco after 53 minutes when again he missed a clear-cut chance from six yards with only the Keeper to beat somehow Aaron Morris managed to save his goal bound effort. A minute later the impressive and strong Liam Rogers missed the target on 54 minutes when he should have done much better.

Three minutes later the game turned on its head. Both Bromyard and Darlaston both made substitutions, Darlaston removing Sam Giles, bringing top scorer Scott Broadway, carrying instructions from Manager Andy Parkes to change formation, and what a master stroke this proved. Two minutes later in the 59th minutes Tyrone Clarke O'Connell levelled the scores latching onto a through ball from Leon Taylor, skipping over a last-ditch tackle from Bromyard’s centre half putting him one on one with the Keeper, Clarke-O’Connell making the finish look easy. The game was once again level this time at 3-3.

Bromyard answered immediately with an Andy Hudson shot again stinging keepers Morris’s hands. Darlaston were forced into a second change after an injury to Lucas Hough, bring the strong Ant Follows to the midfield.

Darlaston were now in charge Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell tried a curing effort which was narrowly wide. The home side had a penalty appeal turned down on 68th minute after Leon Taylor was chopped down by Nathan Myers just outside six-yard box unfortunately referee Kiely did not agree with Darlaston players, management or supporters and waved play on.

Both teams appeared not to be satisfied with a point and were after the three points. Bromyard had a Liam Rogers effort from a corner narrowly go over Darlaston bar. Darlaston’s Ashley Justin header just missed the post from a free kick following a foul on Scott Broadway by Ryan Derek.

The game was finished in the 86th minute, Scott Broadway threaded a ball behind the Bromyard defence for Tyrone Clarke O’Connell to collect at full pace after beating Bromyard soft side trap, he beat Bromyard right back Lloyd Wager for pace just inside the area allowing him to produce an outstanding finish to win the match for Darlaston and secure the win.

The 4-3 win continues Darlaston unbeaten run which started prior to Christmas. Manager Andy Parkes and his team are managing to pick up points even though they are not playing at their best, this is an important time of the season to be on a winning run and let's hope it continues in for the coming weeks.

Darlaston Town (1874) would like to thank the support of the 97 supporters that came to watch at The Paycare Ground yesterday this is the first time this season the attendance has been below 100 but given the extreme cold and poor conditions are thankful that so many people attended the game.

Next week weather and pitch permitting is the last of a run of four home games against last season’s West Midlands (Regional) League Division 2 Champions Shropshire based Telford Juniors on Saturday the 27th of January kick off 2 p.m. as usual