Darlaston opened their pre-season campaign at the sun drenched Paycare Stadium in an entertaining game against Northern Premier League Midland Division side Sporting Khalsa.

Both teams had several players missing and made changes throughout the game as managers Dean Gill and Ian Rowe renewed old rivalries.

Darlaston made much the better start and had the lions share of the first half. The new strike combination of Kieran Miller and debutant Dominic Dell were superb as they created six clear first half chances. Only some superb goalkeeping by former Darlaston keeper Sam Arnold as well as the post and crossbar kept the score down to 1-0 at half time.

Dell went agonisingly close in the opening minutes , his effort going inches wide. The home team opened the scoring on 10 minutes following a superb four man move involving Dan Turton, Liam Wilkinson, and forwards Miller and Dell. In an unaccustomed right back role Turton's superb pass found Wilkinson in space, Wilkinson then split open the Khalsa defence with a deft pass to set up Miller down the left flank, the big striker cut inside before laying the ball into the path of Dell who easily converted into an empty net from 10 yards.

Kieran Berry and Gaz Singh looked threatening for the visitors but Ben Podmore and Alex Forshaw sniffed out any danger.

Darlaston were breaking down the Khalsa defence with some ease, Miller failed twice to convert one on one chances with keeper Arnold, whilst Dell hit the foot of the post and hit the crossbar as well as forcing Arnold into two superb saves. Arnold finger tipped Dell's attempted lob over the crossbar and saved another Dell attempt diving superbly low to his right.

The second half was more evenly contested. Darlaston had the best chance of the early exchanges Arnold again the saviour finger tipping a Darlaston effort onto the bar.

Todd Ferrier impressed in midfield for the visitors whilst Tesfa Robinson stood firm at the heart of the Khalsa defence. On 60 minutes the visitors equalised. Hesitancy in the home defence allowed Aman to nip in and score from 3 yards following a Khalsa corner. The visitors winning goal came 15 minutes later when Miracle Okafor cottoned on to a through ball beat Harvey Dangerfield for pace over 15 yards before easily netting from 18 yards.

Despite the blistering heat the game was an excellent work out for both teams. The work rate, energy and quality from both teams was excellent and despite it being the first pre-season friendly of the season it was clear that both teams wanted to win the game.

Following the game Darlaston boss Dean Gill said " I was delighted with today. I thought our first half performance was superb and on another day we would have gone in at half time several goals to the good. It gave me the chance to have a look at some new players as well as try players in different positions. Overall I learned a lot today and am disappointed that we lost the game. Our first half performance in particular did not deserve that. Despite the heat our work rate and energy levels did not drop off in the second half against very good opposition. That is testament to the work the players have put in over the last few weeks."