In front of a large travelling contingent Darlaston returned to West Midlands Premier Division action after a six year absence with a deserved 1-1 draw at Pershore Town. In glorious sunshine on the banks of the River Avon both teams served up a tense affair for both sets of supporters.

With eight players unavailable Darlaston manager Andy Parkes was forced into re-jigging his line up with Aidan Blackham, T J Davies, Connor Fellows and Reis Nadat making their debuts.

After an even start Darlaston had keeper Liam Whittaker to thank on 5 minutes, the young keeper pulling off an outstanding save to fingertip a Dan Noakes header over the bar. Leon Taylor had the visitors first opportunity, but keeper Matt Gwynne was equal to the task with a comfortable save from the strikers 10-yard shot.

Pershore were having the better of the player with former Aston Villa and Turkey Under 18 International Umit Eminoglu pulling the strings in midfield whilst Nick Seabourne was impressive keeping the central defensive partnership duo of Connor Fellows and Ricardo Ricketts busy all afternoon.

Debutant TJ Davies hit the outside of the post and Taylor could not get pace or direction on a 19th minute header. Pershore continued to have the better of the play and Eminogolu had a 25-yard free kick blocked before Whittaker made another fine save from a Joe Trindade header.

On 31 minutes a Davies corner was met by a towering Taylor header, but the forward placed his 12-yard header wide.

Pershore took a deserved lead on 40 minutes. A dubious free kick was awarded against Ricketts on James Baldwin. From 25 yards Eminoglu's free kick was spilled by Whittaker and Zaqib Hussain was first to respond prodding the ball home from 6 yards.

Despite the setback Darlaston responded superbly on were on level terms moments before the break. Full back Sam Causton made a superb run down the right wing, cut in beyond his marker before cutting the ball back from the by line for the onrushing skipper for the day Reis Nadat to cheekily back heel home from 6 yards giving keeper Gwynne no chance.

If the first half belonged to Pershore then the second half belonged to Darlaston. Within 5 minutes of the restart Aidan Blackham's 22-yard low drive superbly saved by Gwynne as was Isaac Cooper’s 15-yard effort.

Eminogolu continued to prompt and probe for the home side and Baldwin had a header easily saved by Whittaker.

Cooper, Davies and Causton all had chances for the visitors without troubling keeper Gwynne, Dane Aldington and Seabourne responding likewise for the home side.

As the half progressed the visitors pushed forward with Alex Solomon and Ryan Jones combining down the left on several occasions whilst Blackham and Nadat negated the threat of the impressive Pershore midfield.

The introduction of Tyrone Clarke O'Connell for Isaac Cooper injected pace down Darlaston's right , the winger making an immediate impact forcing Gwynne into a save and in the final minute Clarke O'Connell was breaking through the heart of the home defence before being brought down by Hussain who was fortunate to see a yellow card. The resultant free kick coming to nothing.

Overall a fair result with both teams showing quality, energy and effort in abundance.

This Saturday Darlaston open their home campaign with another tough encounter when Shifnal Town will be the visitors. The game at the Paycare Ground Bentley Leisure Pavilion Bentley Road North, Bentley WS2 0EA will kick off at 3.00pm.