Match Report

Darwen hosted Droylsden on Saturday February 1, where they lost 1-0 in a frustrating day out against the most in-form team in the NWCFL Division One North.

The Salmoners started the game sixth in the league, just three points away from the play-offs, whereas visitors Droylsden came into the fixture third.

Both sides came out swinging early on, with the first chance of the game coming for Droylsden’s Tawab Djankpata, forcing an excellent save from James Aspinall high to his right.

Jefferson Goncalves De Abreu dug out Darwen’s first two opportunities, playing a nice one-two with Kit Lloyd and crossing to Connor Hughes, whose effort was saved by the keeper.

De Abreu recovered the ball and let fly from the edge of the box, but his shot travelled wide of the left post, allowing Droylsden to relax for the first time in the opening seven minutes.

Neither team managed to really threaten their opponents’ goals in the next half hour, with the only shot from either side coming from Connor Hughes, whose shot flew just over the bar.

De Abreu continued his involvement down the right wing, finding new signing Mohamed Wassa with a pass, with the midfielder’s first shot in a Darwen shirt coming to nothing in the end.

Hensley Mills was also involved with the number seven down the right-hand side, with the hosts’ final chance of the half coming through De Abreu again, this time blocked inside the area.

Droylsden forward George Kattah began to show the danger he carries as the half closed out, beating Christopher Bailey and striking the side netting with an effort from distance.

A solid defensive first half display from both sides ended bizarrely after 50 minutes, as Droylsden midfielder Caelan Kilheeney lunged in high on Kit Lloyd in the middle of the pitch, seeing just a yellow card for his rash tackle.

Out of all the players kicking off, Connor Hughes managed to pick up a sinbin for dissent, putting him out of the opening 10 minutes of the second half, before Rio Wilson-Heyes and Liam Moran had to be pulled apart as they left the pitch.

Once again, it was the visitors who started brightest at the Multevo Anchor Ground.

Fuad Kasali mistimed his initial shot on the 50th minute, swinging and missing as the ball ran across his body, before setting himself for an effort that struck the underside of Aspinall’s crossbar.

The Bloods recovered the clearance quickly from their previous attack, launching the ball into Kattah who forced his way in between the Darwen centre-halves to bundle in the opener against Darwen’s temporary 10-man team.

Darwen were nearly two down a couple of minutes later, after Droylsden refused to put the ball out for De Abreu who was down injured on the halfway line, with Kasali going on to hit the post.

The attack understandably angered the Salmoners, with Hensley Mills and Charlie Lloyd both taking swings at Kasali as he ran through on goal.

Connor Hughes was finally waved back onto the pitch, two minutes late, but his return couldn’t inspire a comeback over the remainder of the game.

Debutant Wassa impressed on the ball throughout the day, combining well with our January player of the month Bruno De Almeida Severino, but neither player was able to progress the ball into a clear-cut chance.

Kasali and Kattah both missed chances as the game petered out, despite Darwen beginning to gain more control in the middle of the park.

Captain Christopher Bailey continued his side’s firm defensive showing despite the scoreline, blocking a shot brilliantly from close range 95 minutes in, but the visitors managed to see out the game, mainly by the corner flag, in the six minutes of added time.

The defeat at home keeps Darwen on the brink of a play-off spot in sixth, with victors Droylsden now in a good position for the sole automatic promotion spot.