West Midlands League Premier Division rivalries were renewed for the first time in 38 years as these two sleeping giants of Black Country football entertained a bumper crowd at The Paycare Ground. Following a goalless first half it was Darlaston who emerged triumphant with a second half opener from Daniel Bolzon and a brace from skipper Leon Taylor.

In glorious sunshine Darlaston were quickly out of the traps Leon Taylor and Romano Graham both failing to convert early chances. Bilston responded with the impressive Kevin Nickle bringing a comfortable save from home keeper Liam Whittaker following some neat play on the edge of the box.

The home side were in the ascendancy with Luke Charlton and Lucas Hough both majestic in midfield breaking up play and spraying the ball around with amazing consistency.

The busy and energetic Daniel Bolzon was guilty of some erratic shooting with 3 attempts in the space of 5 minutes all clearing the bar by some distance. Some superb last ditch defending by Shaun Morris and Bryn O'Neil thwarted Taylor and Graham from clear shots on goal whilst Nickle and Yannick Gomes both snatched at half chances shooting high over the bar.

As Darlaston pushed on in search of the opening goal Ryan Jones and Sam Causton made several strong runs down both flanks causing the visitors defence problems whilst Darlaston defenders Connor Fellows, Liam Smith and Scott Glasby were all kept on their toes by Nickle and former Darlaston striker Sam Melia both of whom were sharp and incisive.

Further chances fell to Taylor, Graham, Jones and Hough but poor finishing and superb defending kept the Bilston goal intact. Despite all of their first half pressure Darlaston were relieved to go in at the break level after Sam Melia hit the post for the visitors with a well struck shot from inside the box on the stroke of half time.

The second half continued in the same fashion with Darlaston playing some delightful football keeping the visitors stretched at the back, restricting them to rare attacks. As pressure mounted on the visitors goal. the breakthrough eventually came on 56 minutes. Bolzon pounced on a loose ball mid-way in the visitors half he glided past a defender, some unselfish play by Taylor's diagonal run pulled Matty Barnett wide allowing Bolzon to beat another defender and slide a superbly placed shot beyond keeper Zach Stretton. The goal was greeted with huge delight by the home fans and gave the home side confidence to push on in an attempt to seal the game.

Leon Taylor was superb all afternoon. a thorn in the side of the over worked Bilston defence, and he settled the game with 2 goals in the space of 5 mins taking his goal tally to 6 in 8 League games. His first came on 66 minutes. Ryan Jones and Bolzon combined, Bolzon hooked the ball on for Taylor who out muscled Matty Barnett to slot home from 10 yards. Five minutes later Taylor grabbed his 2nd of the game, a superb defence splitting pass from Lucas Hough set up Taylor to calmly take the ball around keeper Stretton and tap home from 2 yards.

Darlaston were playing some impressive football, substitute Jamie Holder combining on several occasions with Sam Causton setting up chances for TJ Davies and "Zico" Agyemang whilst Taylor and Davies both missed several one on one chances with keeper Stretton who stood firm to round off an impressive goalkeeping display. For the visitors Melia, John Dodd and Kamal Perry all had half chances from distance without troubling keeper Whittaker.

Both sides played their part in entertaining the large crowd and despite the intensity of local derbies the game was played in a superb spirit as both sets of players, management and supporters represented their clubs impeccably.

This Saturday Darlaston travel to York Road Oldbury where they will play Black Country Rangers kick off 3.00pm.