Boltmakers blast Rock to pieces

WMRL Second Division Cup 1st Round

FC DARLASTON 8 ROCK ROVERS 1

DARLASTON put to one side any thoughts on the league following Oldbury United’s resignation, as they romped home in their first ever league cup appearance.

It took the Boltmakers 23 minutes to break the deadlock, when a Mark Swann challenge on Rovers keeper Joseph Brown saw him lose possession with the loose ball being collected by Danny Mayne, who scrambled the ball home from close range.

The visitors then lost possession from the restart and a run up the left by Swann resulted in a perfect cross to Mayne, who executed a low 12 yard drive to celebrate his second brace in four outings.

Two minutes later, Jack Arnold added his name to the score sheet with his eighth goal of the season with a close range effect for a third, and Rovers could only watch as they hit the Darlaston crossbar – twice.

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In the second half, against the run of play, a run down the left by Danny Mayne resulted in a perfect cross and new signing Ricardo Ricketts rose high to head a fourth on 59 minutes.

Rovers made a double substitution with Lewis Brown and Emanuel Williams coming on, and at this stage the weather detiorated as the rain turned heavy.

Both teams continued to play some good football with Rovers refusing to give in, however the Boltmakers adapted well to the conditions as the rain turned torrential which resulted in four goals in five minutes. Mark Swann notched up two in three minutes in between a Jack Arnold brace, when he netted from close range having outpaced two markers.

Glenn Evans claimed a consolation goal on 78 minutes, following some sloppy defending only for Darlaston to restore their seven goal cushion when Arnold celebrated his third hat-trick of the season with five minutes to spare.

Next Saturday, Darlaston entertain Rugby FC in the third round of the Birmingham FA (Saturday) Vase at Bentley Road South, kick off 2pm.