On a pristine playing surface at The Paycare Ground a crowd of 100 witnessed Darlaston extend their pre season winning sequence to 5 games against last season's Birmingham County FA Vase finalists Coton Green.

The home side made an excellent start with Ant Follows, Sev Brzostowski and Scott Broadway all having shots on target in the opening few minutes. The pressure paid off after just 6 minutes when Hayden Hughes rose majestically to head home a Daryl Westwood right wing corner.

Both sides were playing controlled passing football to the delight of the large pre season crowd. After the early set back Coton Green regained their composure and Millan forced a good save from home keeper Aaron Morris and Reid shot wide from 15 yards.

Darlaston doubled their lead on 15 minutes. The Hayden Hughes and Scott Broadway partnership was gelling well, the two combining to finish off an excellent five man move , Broadway converting with a 15 yard low drive after being set up by Hughes.

The visitors responded with Millan bringing a fine diving save from Morris and putting pressure on the Darlaston defence with two long range efforts . Darlaston responded with an Ant Follows angled drive being tipped on to the post by keeper Bowen before being cleared to safety.

Full back Sam Causton was impressive creating danger down the right flank whilst Dave Richards made several interventions to ensure the impressive Coton Green midfield were always under pressure. Darlaston's work rate was superb and the front two of Hughes and Broadway were impressive with their pressure on the visiting back four not allowing them to play the ball out, slowing down their game and stifling their passing game.

As Darlaston boss Andy Parkes continued to make made substitutions as he decides on the final composition of his opening day squad he made a further four half time changes which unsettled the balance of the side for a while. A quality team like Coton Green took full advantage pulling a goal back in the 49th minute. Darlaston failed to clear from within their own penalty area , the visitors taking full advantage, Walker's 12 yard drive deflecting off Brzostowski to give keeper Morris no chance,

In search of the equaliser the visitors asserted pressure playing some neat passing football, forcing several free kicks without creating any clear cut chances as Lucas Hough and Ryan McAllister stood firm at the heart of the defence with some excellent interventions and last ditch challenges.

Darlaston withstood the pressure and again started to take control of the game reinstating their two goal advantage mid way through the half when Hughes netted his second charging down an intended clearance by keeper Bowen, eventually scrambling the ball over the line despite desperate attempts by the visiting defence to keep their goal in tact.

The final 20 minutes of the game was evenly contested as defences came out on top with no further goals added.

Pictures taken by Club photographer Jayne Cartwright can be seen by clicking the link below

http://www.darlastontown1874fc.com/photos/darlaston-town-v-coton-green-22-7-2017-758491.html