Avro return home without a point after narrowly losing 1-0 to relegation threatened Darlaston Town last night at The PayCare Stadium.
Only ten minutes into the match, Darlaston sent a cross into the box, where it found Collins. The forward would flick it past Fortune Maphosa for Cook, who then controlled the ball down to his feet and sent the ball through Cam Mason’s legs to put the hosts ahead.
Not long after the opener, Harry Salt stole the ball away from the Darlaston defence and created space for himself to have a shot. Unfortunately, he put too much power behind his shot and sent it over the bar.
In the 30th minute, Darlaston almost doubled their lead as the ball was played over the defence and in behind for Cook. The winger managed to beat Cam Mason to the ball before lobbing him to put the ball in the back of the net. Luckily, the referee blew the whistle for offside just before Cook lobbed Mason.
Four minutes later, Darlaston had another chance to double the lead as a brilliant passing play saw Ballard-Matthews free on the left-hand side of the box with the ball and only the keeper to beat. Luckily, Cam Mason got low and prevent another goal.
The second 45 was a lot better for the Ro having plenty of chances. The first chance in the second half came in the 60th minute, when Darren Ehimamiegho received the ball in some open space inside the box. He would take a touch before firing it towards goal, but it was saved by Amos.
In the 67th minute, Jack Morrow found himself with the ball on the edge of the Darlaston box. The captain would fake his man out and created space for himself to have a shot on goal, but unfortunately his shot went over the bar.
Around the 80th-minute mark, the Ro would play the ball into the box from a corner and found Jack Morrow at the far post. He got his head on the ball and redirected it towards the net, where it hit the post and ricochet back out for Kane Hickman. Hickman got a good connection on the ball, but lack the accuracy as it went flying out for a goal kick.
With the final edging closer, Avro had one last chance to win the game with a late corner. Once again, the ball was sent hurling towards the far post, where it was met by the captain Morrow. He headed the ball towards the bottom corner of the net, but he narrowly missed his shot and was left disappointed that he couldn’t get the equaliser.
Lineups:
Darlaston – Amos, Storey, Chesterton, Corns, Foreshaw, Allen, Knowles, Lew Gill (88” Rowland), Ballard-Matthews (46” West), Collins, Cook (74” Pearson)
Subs not Used – Smith, Leo Gill
Avro – Mason, Igwenwanne, Owen (53” Modi), Maphosa, Fitzpatrick, Morrow, Rodrigues (62” Bell), Hickman, Hawley (41” Cottrell), Salt, Ehimamiegho
Subs not Used – Smalley, Thiam
Written By: Ross Lunt
