Darlaston 3 Tenbury United 1

IN a game they desperately needed to win in order to lift themselves clear of the relegation zone, Tenbury were out-muscled and slipped to their 16th defeat of the season in Division 1 of the West Midlands League at Darlaston on Saturday.

The result moves Darlaston off the bottom of the table and to within three points of third from bottom United, but bottom side Ashbourne do have six games in hand on the pair.

Tenbury passed the ball about neatly during the game, but the problems that have been haunting them all season were all too evident once again, their attack lacked penetration whilst the defence buckled occasionally when it came under pressure.

The sides were evenly matched in the first half, but it was the visitors who made the break through midway through the half. A set-piece was only partially cleared and the home team blasted home the rebound.

It was a similar story at the start of the second half, Tenbury looking composed without causing major concerns to the home defence, but then leaking a goal as their defence proved too timid when Darlaston lumped the ball up the field.

Graham Caldicott and Nicky Stocker were brought off the bench and the move paid dividends when the former chipped the keeper to put United back in the game. George Pearson followed up to make sure the ball was over the line.

They pushed forward looking to salvage a point but when the ball was quickly transferred to their box a Darlaston forward nipped in to hold off the brave challenge of Byron Davies and net their third goal, to seal the win.

This Saturday United take on Blackheath at Palmer's Meadow.