Darlaston boss Gill upbeat despite defeat in Walsall Senior Cup final - report and reaction

The Citizens were beaten 3-1 by Coleshill Town at The Scholars Ground on Tuesday night (May 13).

Mitch Botfield levelled for Darlaston after Sam Tye’s opener for Coleshill. But, second-half goals from Shaq Leachman-Whittingham and Bassit Mandey inflicted defeat on Gill’s side. 

Their appearance in the final was their first in more than 50 years, and despite the defeat, the Darlaston boss was proud of his team and encouraged by their performance. 

“I’m okay, the performance was fine,” Gill said. “In both boxes we could have been a little bit better, we are a bit disappointed with the goals, and we had plenty of chances to score and win the game.

“Credit to Coleshill it was there day.

“I thought we were the better side, with 10-men as well. But, you have to take your chances and you have to defend better than we have.

“We asked them for a performance and as far as I’m concerned we got one, every one of my lads had died out there tonight. It might not have been as good as it could have been but they died out there and that’s all I can ask”.

810 supporters watched the final that was originally due to be held at Bescot. But, due to Walsall’s involvement in the League Two play-offs, the match was moved to Chasetown’s Scholars Ground.

Asked if this his side will use the defeat moving forward and into next season, Gill added: “Yes, because we will learn from it. The level of the performance was fine, the intensity, the press, the selfless running, it was brilliant.

“We are in our first season of step four football and miles behind on some things compared to the Coleshill lads so I am chuffed to bits.

”I am looking forward to a rest, it has been unbelievable, we like to win, but we are looking forward to next season.”

Darlaston enjoyed a better start and threatened throughout the first period. Mitch Botfield came close to giving the Citizens the lead inside just 30-seconds but skied his effort.

Against the run of play, it was Coleshill who struck first on the 36th-minute through Sam Tye. But, their lead lasted just three-minutes as Darlaston hit back courtesy of Botfield’s sumptuous volley that was beyond Tyrone Wormington’s reach. 

Less than three-minutes into the second-half, Shaq Leachman-Whittingham restored Coleshill‘s lead.

Frustrations grew for the Citizens as chances went begging, and skipper Alexander Foreshaw then saw red for a late lunge. This proved pivotal as 10-men Darlaston were left with a mountain to climb and liable at the back.

Throwing bodies forward, Darlaston were caught on the break and Bassit Mandey secured the title for Coleshill by adding a third.

The cup final loss brings Darlaston’s season to a conclusion and they will now look ahead to another season at step four non-league football in the Northern One Midlands.