Darlaston raided by deadly Worcester
DARLASTON were taught a harsh footballing lesson as a dominant and rampant Worcester Raiders were better in every department on Saturday and inflicted Darlaston’s worst defeat in more than five years.
Flurry
No one could have predicted the final scoreline after 46 minutes with the score 2-2 as Raiders scored six second half goals in 38 minutes. Destroyers in chief were former Worcester City and Stourbridge strikers Dave Reynolds and Ryan Rowe, who helped themselves to six goals and gave the Darlaston defence a torrid time all afternoon.
Reynolds opened the scoring on 11 minutes, Kyle Belmonte’s shot was partially blocked, looped into the air goalwards, keeper Whittaker clawed the ball away but only into the path of Reynolds who had the simplest of tasks to head home unchallenged from four yards.
Reynolds and Rowe both shot wide before Darlaston finally created an opportunity on 33 minutes but Sam Carey was on hand to deny Leon Taylor with a fine saving challenge.
Raiders had dominated first half proceedings but against the run of play the home side drew level on 41 minutes, Lucas Hough setting up Scott Stevenson who rounded keeper Lewis Pinches to slot home the equaliser.
Drive
Darlaston were only level for three minutes as the visitors went ahead moments before the break. Ricardo Ricketts was dispossessed by Reynolds wide on the left, the striker had a clear run on goal and superbly beat Whittaker with a 20 yard angled drive into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Despite the setback Darlaston were on terms on 46 minutes, the unfortunate George Corbett slicing the ball into his own net.
For the remainder of the game Raiders dominated, the Darlaston midfield and defence unable to cope with a rampant Raiders as Reynolds ran amok, ably supported by Rowe and Josh Farnsworth.
Reynolds brought a save from Whittaker and
Sam Carey headed over the bar before Raiders deservedly took the lead for the third time on 52 minutes. Poor defending saw Darlaston fail to clear their lines properly, the ball eventually falling to Kirk Leyton who lashed home with an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box.
It was now pretty much one way traffic and Raiders put the game to bed with two goals in six minutes from Kyle Belmonte and a Ryan Rowe penalty on 60 minutes.
Following protestations on the penalty incident Darlaston saw their first sin bin of the season, Sam
Causton the offender, keeper Liam Whittaker continued the dissent eventually being shown a yellow card but not being sin binned.
Despite being down temporarily to ten men Stevenson pulled a goal back following good work from Zico Agyemang.
Raiders were not finished as Josh Farnsworth found plenty of space on the left to set up Reynolds for his hat trick. Rowe netted Raiders seventh on 72 minutes, this time Reynolds the provider.
Spot kick
The home side reduced the arrears on 74 minutes, Agyemang netting from the spot after Lucas Hough had been felled by Dan Flowers.
Farnsworth missed two good chances before Reynolds completed the scoring with his fourth goal of the game on 90 minutes, converting a spot kick after keeper Whittaker brought down Matt Andrews.
Whittaker received a second yellow and was sent off for his troubles and Adam Cole went in goal, having no chance with Reynolds’ spot kick.
This Saturday Darlaston entertain Dudley Sports at The Paycare Ground, Bentley Leisure Pavilion, Bentley Road North, Bentley WS2 0EA.