After an 8-week absence, Darlaston's stop-start West Midlands League Premier Division resumed on Saturday as they brought an end to Dudley's unbeaten start to their League season.

In the enforced absence Darlaston boss Nick Lewis has been busy reinforcing his squad as he gave debuts to 6 new signings. Goalkeeper Tom Kirkpatrick (Alvechurch & Pershore Town). Stefan Walker (Market Drayton Town), Ronee Hendricks (Wolverhampton Sporting), Maxwell Ngbeken (Warstones Wanderers), Omar Haughton (Sporting Khalsa) and the returning T J Davies (Tipton Town) whilst second-half substitute Sheikh Barrow (Coton Green) became the 7th debutant.

Darlaston made a positive start forcing a corner in the opening minute with Zico Agyemang bringing a save from Joe Gilbert. A minute later another Omar Haughton corner caused havoc in the home defence before eventually being cleared.

Darlaston's bright start was rewarded with the only goal of the game on 4 minutes when Haughton, Hendrick, and Walker combined before Walker muscled past a defender striking a powerful low drive beyond keeper Gilbert.

Haughton and Ngbeken both had efforts saved by Gilbert before Dudley shook off their sluggish start Owen Massey and Rhys Horton both missing the target from distance.

Dudley's Horton and Dan Jones were both impressive on the right and left-wing respectively whilst Walker Houghton and Davies were giving the Dudley central defensive partnership of Jamie Beddall and Lee Smith all the trouble they could handle.

The game became a bit of a midfield stalemate, neither side creating a clear chance until 41 minutes when Darlaston came within inches of doubling their lead. Walker was again on target, this time a low drive from a difficult angle was heading for Gilbert's right-hand bottom corner but the keeper was equal to the task getting an outstretched leg to the ball deflecting it for a corner. On 43 minutes later Davies brought a comfortable save from Gilbert before, on the stroke of half time, Dudley's best chance of the half was headed wide by Alex Perry.

Dudley had the better of the second half, but it was Darlaston who missed the best chance of the half. Som Sibanda and Lewis Archer both shot tamely at keeper Kirkpatrick before on 58 minutes Darlaston teenager Maxwell Ngbeken missed a glorious chance to double their lead. Liam Smith headed across the goal into the path of Ngeken and with the goal at his mercy the youngster glanced his 6-yard header wide.

The final 20 minutes saw Dudley push forward at every attempt without troubling keeper Kirkpatrick. Lee Smith headed wide and Beddall sent a header high over the bar before the referee waived away frantic penalty appeals as Lewis Archer went over in the box.

Horton and Rhys Boswell both failed to trouble keeper Kirkpatrick with free-kicks from the edge of the box whilst Liam Smith, Rhys Nadat and skipper Ricardo Ricketts all defended superbly with superb block tackles to deny Massey (twice) and Horton a c clear strike at goal.

As the game finished in a torrential downpour Darlaston's spirits could not be dampened as they hauled themselves from near the foot of the table into 13th spot.

For the first time in more than a decade, Darlaston have a Boxing Day fixture when, COVID permitting, they entertain high riding Littleton FC at The Paycare Ground. In only their third home League game of the season, they will be hoping to make it 3 wins in their last 4 games to push themselves up the table and away from danger. Kick-off is 3 pm at The Paycare Ground, Bentley Leisure Pavilion, Bentley Road North, Bentley, Walsall WS2 0EA.