Darlaston will be looking to return to winning ways following three consecutive defeats when they entertain local neighbours WEDNESFIELD at the Bentley Leisure Pavilion on New Years Eve - Kick off 12.00pm

- Mark McIntyre

It was a case of after the Lord Mayors Show at the Paycare Ground on Saturday. In front of a large and vociferous crowd Walsall South MP Valerie Vaz opened the club’s new 50 seater stand before this Birmingham County FA Vase last 16 tie. However Coventry based Midland League Alvis Sporting, unbeaten in their last 39 League games proved too strong and eventually ran out comfortable winners.

With first choice keeper Aaron Morris suspended, 48 year old goalkeeping coach and former Blackpool keeper Scott Bamford made a rare appearance. The opening 15 minutes were evenly contested with both sides “sparring” with each other as they found their feet.

Alvis were sharp with forwards Dan Pidgeon and Dildale Linton looking dangerous. The home side responded with Sam Giles having plenty of success down the left flank with Mark Swann and Josh carvel both failing to connect under pressure from a well organised Alvis defence. The visitors started to assert control and took the lead on 19 minutes. Bamford made an excellent save from Kieran Joseph but the ball spilled into the path of Pidgeon who easily converted from 4 yards.

The home side responded well to the set back with Luke Charlton and Craig Ball impressing whilst Mike Quirke and Sam Murphy were outstanding at the heart of the Alvis defence shackling Carvel and Kieran Miller. Pidgeon hit the post with a 20 yard drive and Gormley had long a range effort superbly tipped around the post by Bamford. At the other end Carvel brought a good save from James Wardle in the Alvis goal and a Craig Ball free kick went inches over the bar.

Alvis were impressive and confident in their passing and carved out two chances before delivering a killer blow on the stroke of half time, Pidgeon again on target with an angled drive giving Bamford no chance.

The second half saw Alvis dominate with Darlaston confined to rare breaks and long range efforts. The game was put beyond doubt in the 62nd minute. The impressive Linton exposed the home defence with his pace and as he broke into the box he was tripped by Ashley Justin. Mike Quirke stepped up to send Bamford the wrong way with his well placed spot kick.

Alvis kept the ball well with some excellent passing play whilst Darlaston played well in short spells but gave the ball away far too often and simply could not get a foothold in the game.

Darlaston substitute Sam Baxter combined with Charlton and Giles on 68 minutes to set up Sam Melia but not for the first time the excellent Quirke was on hand to sniff out the danger.

The score line was given a slightly flattering look on 70 minutes when Linton completed the scoring with some excellent individual play before slotting home from 10 yards.

By now Darlaston were lacking in confidence and the quality of the visitors saw them close the game down with plenty of possession football, denying the home side even a consolation goal.

Following the game player/manager Mark Swann could not conceal his disappointment “Today was very disappointing. If it wasn’t tough enough that we had 6 players out and several positional changes we then allowed a team unbeaten in 39 league games far too much time on the ball. That is unacceptable and we paid the price for it.

Make no mistake they are an exceptional team and have no obvious weaknesses but particularly in the second half we were not at the races. I thought in the first half whilst they had more possession and chances we were lively and competitive and after they took the lead we needed to ensure we stayed in the game as long as possible and hope that we could convert one of our chances. The goal on the stroke of half time was a killer blow from which we never recovered. In the second half they were simply too good for us and were very professional in the way they retained possession and passed the ball around very well. In Pidgeon and Linton they have two exceptional strikers who will cause any defence at this level plenty of problems. They are both clearly capable of playing at a much higher level. Still, we will regroup and go again in another difficult New Years Eve game against high riding Wednesfield”.

Please note our home fixture against BUSTLEHOLME has been rearranged to be played SATURDAY JANUARY 7th and our league cup first round game away at FC STAFFORD will now be played on SATURDAY 4th FEBRUARY.

Merry Christmas to everyone associated with the Football Club and to everyone associated with the West Midlands Regional League