In this Black Country derby against two former West Midlands non league giants Darlaston came out on top thanks to a Danny Mayne hat-trick. Darlaston manager Andy Parkes was without nine first team regulars and was forced into making several changes with youngsters Sam Lynex , Mason Hodgson and Adonijah Allen all emerging from the game with great credit and staking a claim for a start in the final game of the season on bank Holiday Monday.

Both sides were slow out of the blocks but it was the Lockmen of Willenhall who opened the scoring on 13 minutes. An horrendous mix up between keeper Aaron Morris and Martin Stanton allowed Antonio Palmer to seize on a stray ball and lob keeper Morris from 25 yards to put the Lockmen ahead.

Darlaston responded with Danny Mayne blazing high and wide from 16 yards and then Sam Lynex slipped the ball to Leon Taylor inside the area, Taylor shrugged off the close attention of Dangerfield but could not get enough power into his shot to trouble former West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday keeper Chris Adamson.

Disaster struck for young Darlaston full back Ryan Kingdon in the 20th minute when the youngster making his first appearance since suffering a knee injury in August was forced to leave the field with an injury to be replaced by Josh Cooper.

The visitors were on level terms in the 25th minute, a neat passing movement between Mason Hodgson and Dave Richards, saw an excellently conceived flick by Hodgson elude central defender Corey Ensor to set up Danny Mayne to shoot home from 12 yards. Darlaston started to gain confidence and assert pressure and could've taken the lead minutes later when Mayne's deep cross to the far post found overlapping full back Sammy Causton who shot high and wide from 8 yards.

Todd Brindle and Willenhall player/manager Ryan Mason continually looked for space in midfield to set up the hard working Geovanni Shaw and Antonio Palmer but Stanton and Ryan Jones twice thwarted any danger . Keeper Adamson comfortably saved a Ryan jones free kick after Taylor had been tripped 25 yards from goal.

On the stroke of half time Darlaston went ahead and again Mason Hodgson was the provider for Danny Mayne. A precise pass from Hodgson split the home defence as Mayne cut in from the right wing beat two defenders and calmly slotted the ball underneath the advancing keeper Adamson.

Early in the second half Mayne and Taylor both had shots blocked by Ensor and Dangerfield respectively.

Darlaston keeper Morris was called into action in the 54th minute with an excellent finger tip save from Josh McGregor's 25 yard free kick. As the visitors pushed forward Lynex and Mayne on their respective flanks were giving Michael Gwynne and Tyrell walker a torrid time but Ensor and Harvey Dangerfield impressed at the heart of the Willenhall defence to deny Taylor and Luke Charlton clear shooting chances.

Darlaston extended their lead on the hour keeper Adamson saving twice from Lynex before Mayne picked up the second rebound to prod home from 3 yards to complete his first hat trick for the club.

Adonijah Allen impressed with a cameo substitute role and without creating too many clear cut chances Darlaston had the upper hand in the final 20 minutes but the never say die attitude of Willenhall was a credit to their management team.

Darlaston conclude their League campaign on Bank Holiday Monday against Wrens Nest at Tividale FC KO 3 pm.

But donty forget the special visit to face local rivals Bilston Town FC at the home of Wolverhamptomn Wanders Molineux on Tuesday KO 7.30 pm this is to raise money for Paycare one of the clubs major sponsors chosen charity so please come and support the game by paying £5 on the gate.