The Paycare Ground was the venue for my first venture into the 21/22 preseason, in a game where entry was free. Darlaston ply their trade in Step 6, whilst their opponents can be found a step lower.
It didn’t take long for there to be some goalmouth action, as Jake Pearson, who would impress throughout, sent a snapshot goalwards which forced a good reaction save out of Stafford’s Henry Smith. The opening ten minutes saw a succession of home corners but Smith and his defenders held firm. Pleasingly, the intent from both teams was there, looking to play the ball on the floor and utilise the flanks whenever possible. As such, the midfield battle became key, with Maxwell Nebeken standing out for the hosts. For those of a Kidderminster persuasion (stick with me), there was a touch of the Milan Butterfield’s about his playing style. The competitive edge was most certainly there, with a couple of tackles forcing referee Mr James into a conversation or two with the transgressors. Stafford’s Smith could also attest to this, playing most of the game with a broken nose (source: Stafford Town Twitter) after an innocuous collision as he slid to clear some danger outside his box. Overall for the first half, it was the higher graded hosts who were edging the game but by no means were they completely dominant.
It’s pre season, so half time sees a bunch of substitutes. It also ushered in a period of prolonged Stafford pressure, with Kyle Wainwright lashing over from range after Darlaston ceded possession cheaply. Despite looking the most likely in the first quarter of an hour of the second half, they should’ve found themselves a goal down, partly by their own hand as a poor passback was pounced upon by Leon Taylor, who could only fire wide under pressure. The big forward would look to make amends moments later, picking the ball up on halfway and driving at the Stafford backline before expertly finding Nebeken with a sweet outside of the foot pass. Sadly for Darlaston, Nebeken could only fire wide. The pendulum was swinging back towards the hosts now, who began to dominate. Jeevan Purewal’s delivery from left back was teasing in the first half, and he would lead a quick breakaway, before finding Taylor who immediately found Andy Nicol with a smart touch. Nicol’s effort was well saved for a corner, which can be seen in the video below:
Those in attendance did see a goal, but it would be denied by the linesman’s flag. Nebeken’s driving run would create another 3 on 3 scenario, with Nicol looking to turn provider, feeding Taylor who slid home well. Between Taylor and Nicol, one of them was adjudged to be offside, with Darlaston annoyed that the offside decision trumped a clear foul on Nebeken, with management claiming there was no advantage gained. With ten to play, Darlaston’s Pearson would embark on a teasing run before losing the ball and picking up a booking in the process. Did he need to be booked? I’m not sure, but c’est la vie, as they say.
Teams:
Darlaston Town: Clarkson, Jones, Purewal, Turton, Foreshaw (c), Nebeken, Pearson, Gill, Taylor, Nicol, Matthews.
Subs: Charlton (on 62), L.Smith (on 45), Winwood (on 73), Gill (on 45), Dangerfield (on 53), Evans.
Stafford Town:
H.Smith, Scott, Anderson, Dudley, Bradshaw, Swingwood, Hardiman, Wilson (inj 32), Tautscher, Kinsella, Barrow.
Subs: Walker (on 45), Wainwright (on 45), Wood (on 32), Osman (on 45), Chilton (on 45), Heath.
The Non League Writer 