Darlaston delight as Bolzon batters Bustleholme
DARLASTON TOWN 4 BUSTLEHOLME 2
FOLLOWING a midweek burglary and destruction of property the mood at The Paycare Ground was muted but a much improved second half performance eventually saw Darlaston complete the double over Bustleholme.
Darlaston boss Andy Parkes included his two signings in his squad, handing a debut to Isaac Cooper and a place on the bench for Mark Morgan.
An impeccable minute’s silence was observed by everyone within the ground prior to kick off paying respects to the fallen.
Darlaston started the game at a tremendous pace with Isaac Cooper providing a pinpoint cross for Leon Taylor who provided a well struck finish which entered the net via the underside of the bar in the second minute to give Darlaston a dream start.
Darlaston were controlling the play in the midfield areas, pressing the visitors back at every opportunity. Bustleholme responded with two efforts on goal; Iain Beavon missing the target in the fourth minute and Chris Brown last season’s Division One top scorer and league player of the year forcing home keeper Liam Whittaker into an early save.
Despite their good start, the home side seemed to drop off the pace of the game, Bustleholme taking full advantage as Chris Brown, Myles Nettleford and Jack Whittall increased the pace of the game.
All three had efforts saved or off target but an equaliser was on the cards and it eventually came in the 42nd minute when Chris Brown raced onto a probing ball from Whittall, beat Mcallister and buried a 20-yard angled shot into the bottom corner. The visitors were now full of confidence and just two minutes later they were in front. Jason Nettleford beat Ryan Jones wide on the right, his cross found the unmarked Whittall who had time and space to plant the ball past Whittaker.
It was time for Darlaston’s management to work their magic once again during the interval.
In the opening minutes of the second half Darlaston forced three corners and momentum shifted in their favour, the equaliser coming on 56 minutes. A superb through ball from Luke Charlton split open the visitors’ defence, Isaac Cooper raced on to the ball beyond the static Bustleholme defence and drove hard and low beyond Holden with a sweet left foot finish.
The game was turned on its head on 58 minutes with the introduction of Daniel Bolzon. He has been absent for several weeks following an injury suffered in the Sikh Hunters game, but he injected pace and quality and his team mates and the home supporters responded to his infectious attitude. Suddenly Darlaston looked dangerous, Bolzon and Taylor upfront became a handful, pin point passes from Charlton and Holder were putting Bustleholme’s defence on the back foot.
Tap-in
It was only a matter of time before it paid dividends and it was Bolzon who was at the heart of the pressure. On 74 minutes another Charlton pass found the onrushing Bolzon, his first effort was saved but he was first to respond tapping the loose ball into an empty net.
Four minutes later Bolzon scored his second on 78 minutes, this time Isaac Cooper’s inch perfect cross after a run to the byline was finished from inside the six-yard box, giving the keeper no chance.
New signing Mark Morgan was introduced and had four efforts in the last few minutes of the match.
Darlaston were having by far their best spell of the game, a fine Ryan Mcallister right foot curing effort brought a full stretch fingertip save from Holden.
It certainly wasn’t easy at times, for 20 minutes or so Bustleholme were on top, with Darlaston well below the standard they have set for themselves. But the introduction of two new quality signings and the return to fitness of Bolzon together with a valuable three points ensured the mood of the squad and supporters was much brighter
Next Saturday Darlaston travel to Stourport, to face leaders Droitwich Spa. Kick-off 3pm.