Darlaston Town 2 Willenhall Town 3
On the heavy famous slopping Darlaston pitch, Willenhall put in a vastly improved performance, although they almost threw the points away at the death.
In the process they extended their unbeaten run to 23 matches (equalling a similar run which helped Chasetown reach the 1st round of the FA Cup).
Willenhall in the smart all navy change kit had to make various changes in the line-up as both Becky Yeates & Helen Crozier were missing from the heart of the defence. This meant Stacey Parkes played at left-back & the versatile duo of birthday girl Sherrylee Boon (21) & Lindsay Clews pairing up in the centre. Maxine Wren also started her first game since joining the club.
Willenhall had the disadvantage of kicking up the slope first half and this showed early on as Darlaston had more of the play and had the chance to take the lead on 9 minutes, shooting wide after beating the offside trap. Then on 20 miutes Lindsay Clews weak pass fell to a Darlaston forward, but keeper Lizzy Plant deflected the ball wide for a corner.
Abi Riley burst through the home defence on 22 minutes, only to see her shoot wide of the post. Plant again came to Willenhall's rescue superbly blocking another Darlaston effort, when they really should have scored.
Maxine Wren put Abi Riley through on 32 minutes, yet again the Reds leading scorer fired wide from a good position.
On 38 minutes Lizzy Plant made a tremendous save and Willenhall broke quickly & Abi Riley made it 1~0, with a low shot. She almost doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time, shooting wide when well placed to score.
Darlaston made a couple of positional changes at half-time to try and cope with Abi Riley's electric pace.
On 47 minutes Lauren Jones through ball found Maxine Wren, who dragged her shot wide of the post. Rachel Kinsis pass almost found Wren on 49 minutes, but the home keeper gathered before a blue shirt could reach the ball.
Willenhall's pressure finally paid off on 51 minutes when Abi Riley doubled the lead, side-footing home from Rachel Kinsis corner. As Willenhall started to play some neat football Stacey Parkes bulldozed her way passed fou Darlaston players but couldn't get a shot in.
Tracey Culloty tried to play Maxine Wren in, but yet again the Darlaston keeper was first to the ball.
On 59 minutes Tracey Culloty's header found Abi Riley and she set up Wren who again shot wide.
Abi Riley should have completed her hat-trick in the 62 minute but again the Darlaston keeper was equal to the effort.
On 72 minutes the referee Mr Chew gave the home side a bizarre free-kick when it should have been a drop-ball and this gave the home side a life line when the free kick was put into her own net by the unfortunate Di Baker.
This seemed to unsettle the Reds and Darlaston tried to take advantage as they started to see more of the ball.
On 76 minutes Rachel Kinsis had a shot well blocked and Tracey Culloty fired the rebound just wide.
Willenhall then suffered a severe blow on 88 minutes when Darlaston broke down the left and the cross was sliced into the back of the next by Reds defender Stacey Parkes, but While the home faithful were still celebrating the equaliser Jo Byrne's 60 yard punt up field found Maxine Wren who bundled the ball home for the winner.
This gave Willenhall a hard fought victory of a very strong Darlaston side, who never gave up.
Line-Up
Lizzie Plant, Di Baker, Stacey Parkes, Sherrylee Boon, Lindsay Clews, Tracey Culloty, Lauren Jones (c), Jo Byrne, Rachel Kinsis, Maxine Wren, Abi Riley
Sub:- Nikki Crutchley
Star Red :- Lauren Jones
Next Sunday, the Reds travel to Bromsgrove Rovers to face West Bromwich Albion in the Birmingham County Cup 1~30pm.
The girls would be grateful if any of the first team supporters would turn up for the game to give them the support they deserve, so please be there if you can and cheer them on.