Darlaston Town (1874) travelled deep into the Shropshire countryside to Oswestry to take on nine game unbeaten St Martins in a crucial 4th vs 5th place Midlands (Regional) League Division One fixture.

Manager Andy Parkes was once again forced to shuffle his pack after Wednesday’s League Cup defeat both Ryan McAllister and Ant Follows suffered injuries during the game. Both we replaced by the re-signed Sam Causton and Martin Stanton who returned to play at centre-half. Scott Broadway was also available and was added to the usual bench.

As the players were warming up before the game at The Venue, home of Welsh Champions New Saints, the weather turned we saw the first of many snow flurries, some turning into serious blizzards.

Supported by a number of travelling Darlaston Town supporters the game could not have started better for the visitors. Leon Taylor scoring 4 minutes into the game. The goal came from nothing a diagonal ball from left back Ryan Jones from just inside his own half beat the static St Martin’s defence allowing Leon Taylor to latch onto the ball and score past home keeper George Austin.

St. Martins have been without a competitive League game since the last week of February it clearly showed in the opening exchanges, their first chance came on 18 minutes Dave Easthope could not direct an excellent Elliot Howes cross at the far post, his effort going well wide.
Darlaston’s Sam Giles had a great chance to double the visitors lead in the 19th minute. A cross from the hard-working Danny Mayne on Darlaston’s left flank found Giles 10 yards out, unfortunately he couldn’t get the ball out of his feet quick enough to take advantage and his tame effort drifted wide.

St. Martins worked hard to try and gain some momentum going forward Jamie Hands was impressive at the base of the home sides midfield. Hands also found himself on the end of two chances in the 23rd and 24th minute the first narrowly missing the target and second blocked by the hard-working visitors defence. The following minute saw St. Martins best chance of the game so far centre forward Shaun Melusi got behind Darlaston’s defence for the first time in the game and his powerful shot skimmed keeper Morris’s bar.

Darlaston doubled their lead in the 27th minute. The hard-working Leon Taylor held up the ball on the edge of the St. Martin’s penalty area, laying off to the advancing Danny Mayne who's shot was saved by keeper Austin. But the ball re-bounded out into the penalty area, Leon Taylor was first to react his right foot finish which beat the recovering Austin finding the right-hand side of the net giving the visitors an outstanding start.

Sam Giles had his second opportunity of the game to give Darlaston a three-goal lead in the 30th minute. Giles benefited once again from Taylors hold up play, his well weighted through ball found the advancing Giles through on goal, his cross shot under pressure from Defender Josh Parker was saved by George Austin.

Following a Ashley Justin tackle on forward Melusi for which Justin was lucky to escape a yellow card, St Martin’s were awarded a free kick 25 yards out. Dave Easthope’s well struck and directed free-kick was kept out by an outstanding left-handed save from Arron Morris.
The remainder of the half was contested in midfield, both sides looking for some superiority, but neither team would give the other any impetus.

Darlaston town went into the half-time break 2-0 to the good and could not have asked for a better first half with the weather deteriorating and the biting wind chill could Darlaston hold out and win the game.

St Martin’s started second half well their passes finding their players in more advanced positions. In the first minute of the second half Dave Easthope had an effort saved by keeper Morris, Darlaston’s defence and midfield were pressed to keep St. Martins at bay. In the 52nd minute Darlaston were gifted a golden chance, St Martin's keeper Austin misplaced a pass straight to Leon Taylor who's shot from outside of the penalty area smashed off the bar and out for a goal kick.

St Martins given a lifeline in 57th minutes a poor clearance from the corner flag was punished, St Martin’s took advantage Shaun Melusi having an shot blocked, along with a last ditch Dave Richards tackle to stop Brandon Price from scoring, the ball found its way to Jamie Hands who's left footed finish past the stranded Morris gave the home side hope for the remainder of the game.

Both teams and officials were battling the blizzardous conditions not helped with a wind-chill of -9 . The snow showers were getting heavier and longer, the pitch was now covered in snow. The weather did not deter either side, as they continued to both play their brand of football which was easy on the eye, looking to create a clear opportunity, Darlaston to make the game safe and St. Martins to equalise.

Darlaston seemed to be able to repel St. Martins attacks with a well marshalled and organised defence forcing St. Martins looked to their bench for inspiration. Their first change after 66 minutes nearly paid dividends. Substitute Dave Hartshorn found himself clear and buried the ball past keeper Morris from 12 yards, his joy was short lived as Assistant Referee Thomas lifted his flag for an offside decision and the goal was disallowed much to the relief of everyone connected with Darlaston.

Despite St. Martins best endeavours that could not find the equaliser, the Final whistle giving Darlaston a massive 2-1 away win and ending St Martin’s nine game unbeaten run which started at the end of November.

Credit must go to the three officials add players and players who endured at times almost impossible conditions which did not deter the quality of football played by both teams. Credit also should go to both sets pf supporters who were frozen by the end of the game, and all went in search of heaters to warm themselves.

Having been critical of the team performance on Wednesday evening at Wrens Nest, I have nothing but praise for all the players that took part in yesterday’s game, the two performances could not be further apart. The result was achieved by good pre planning by the management and the players carrying out their instructions coupled with their “Never Say Die” attitude and an extreme amount of hard work from the players.

The big games keep coming next Saturday sees another away journey back into Shropshire to second Place Newport Town kick-off 3 pm