Darlaston’s squad was down to the bear bones for the trip to AFC Bridgnorth due to injuries added to long term absentees Andy Heal and Tyrone Clarke-O’Connell were Lucas Hough, and Joe Baker. Unavailable because of work and holiday were Luke Charlton, Ricardo Ricketts, and Morgan Campbell. Once good piece of news Darlaston welcomed back into the squad Liam Cox on his return from the USA.

Darlaston started well and had much the better of the early exchanges without creating any clear-cut chances. The front three of Leon Taylor, TJ Davies and "Zico Agyemang" simply could not get any fluency in their play and whilst creating difficulties for the home defence , eventually as every attack broke down they found it more and more difficult to do their defensive duties as the home side gained confidence.

Poor defending cost Darlaston dearly on 22 minutes as Bridgnorth took the lead against the run of play with their first attempt on goal. An Elliott Lee corner was met by Charlie Swingwood's glancing header, which was not cleared, Scott Glasby slicing the ball into his own net.

There was little fluency in the play of either side and passes were going astray.
Bridgnorth doubled their lead on 28 minutes. In the best move of the game skipper Matt Dean broke down the right wing and whipped in a low cross which was turned home from 3 yards by the unmarked Dominic Court.

Neither side created any chances of note as defences had the upper hand and Darlaston went into the half time break low on confidence after a disjointed performance.

Two early chances went begging as the visitors pushed to get back into the game. Davies shot over the bar after some neat play by Taylor created the 15-yard opportunity. Just 2 minutes later Davies again broke into the box and with only keeper Groome to beat, the keeper was quickly off his line to thwart the striker blocking his 12-yard effort.

As the game went on the quality of play did not improve and both teams were frustrated and fluency and quality was missing. Darlaston boss Andy Parkes made an early change introducing Noah Diallo for the out of sorts Ryan Jones.

Clear cut chances were few and far between, Elliott Lee shooting wide and James Chetter on target for the home side whilst Davies and Scott Glasby both missed half chances for the visitors.

Darlaston gave themselves a lifeline on 71 minutes. Jamie Holder's excellent reverse pass put the home defence on the back foot and as Leon Taylor twisted in the penalty area to create a shooting opportunity he was tripped by Pollard. Referee James Clements immediately pointed to the spot. Diallo stepped up and made no mistake putting his effort into the corner to give Darlaston some hope of getting something out of the game.

Darlaston pushed hard for an equaliser and in doing so left themselves open to the counterattack and in the final 10 minutes long balls out of defence saw Bremner and Lee (twice) miss half chances to put the game out of reach.

Despite all of their huffing and puffing the visitors simply could not create a clear chance of note, Taylor (twice) and Liam Smith squandering late chances.

This Saturday Darlaston renew League rivalries going back more than 70 years with Black Country neighbours Bilston Town when both clubs were in the Birmingham Combination.

The two clubs last league meeting was in Darlaston's 2006/07 Division One Championship winning season. Both clubs are the only remaining inaugural members of the West Midlands Regional League and renew Premier Division rivalry for the first time since 1981/82.

The game is at The Paycare Ground, Bentley Road North, Bentley WS2 0EA KO 3.00pm.