Match Report

In the first home game of the season the Salmoners welcomed Ilkley Town across the Pennines on a cold and blustery Wednesday evening. Kenny Langford opted to keep the same starting Eleven that brought home the points in the league curtain opener at Garstang.

In the opening stages the game seemed rather flat with a lack of tempo. Ilkley had their first chance of the game on the Fifth minute mark, a powerful shot that was well tipped over the bar by Darwen keeper, Billy O’Carroll.

Darwen huffed and puffed creating a few minor half chances until Ilkley took control of the contest, dominating play through midfield. Nicholas Brayshaw, went on a mazy run where he got to the edge of the Six-yard box but under pressure from Otis Gorman ploughed his shot into the side netting.

Just after Twenty minutes had been played, the visitors carved out another good opening but O’Carroll was alert to rush out and block a shot on the edge of the area.

From this save, the ball spilled out to an Ilkley midfielder with a relatively open net but the rebound was smashed wide. A lucky escape for the Salmoners.

Just before the break both sides has chances to break the deadlock. Asa Lowe hit the bar from range for Ilkley while Leon Creech pounced on a defensive mistake, won the ball back and squared the ball for Brayden Shaw but his shot was well held by Jordan Moorhouse in the Bah’Tatters Goal.

The Teams went in all-square at the interval. Half Time 0-0.

Soon as the Referee’s whistle blew to restart the action, the visitors set into another gear and grabbed the game by it’s throat.

In the Fiftieth minute, some free-flowing football from the Yorkshiremen resulted in a well worked goal with Nathan Hunt sliding the ball past O’Carroll. 0-1.

Just two minutes later Ilkley doubled their lead. Blake Wood seemed to get in between defender and goalkeeper to poke the ball into an empty net.

The Salmoners now had an uphill task so early into the second period. 0-2.

On the hour mark, Darwen Manager, Kenny Langford soon rung in the changes, Bobby Langford and Nathan Bond were introduced into the game at the expense of Gary Basterfield and Ben Langford.

Just Seven minutes later and out of nowhere, Darwen brought themselves back into the contest.

Jack Lynch played a clever ball on the right to Brayden Shaw where he delivered a low ball across the box and at the back post there was Bobby Langford to tap the ball home.

It was Game On at the Anchor Ground. 1-2.

Darwen in their Retro kit for the evening, started to dig deep and force the game onto the visitors who had been excellent all evening.

Now there seemed to be cracks appearing in the Bah’tatters defence as the Salmoners searched for an equaliser.

In the Seventy-Eight minute, Brayden Shaw curled in a delightful corner to the back post, Charlie Lloyd headed the ball square across goal to Nathan Bond who flicked the ball on towards the net but Ilkley stopper Moorhouse got back to his line on time to keep the visitors ahead.

Darwen started to lump the ball into the box more as the game entered it’s final stages. A big encouraging roar from the home faithful sounded as the electronic board was produced with Six minutes injury time to be played.

In the Ninety-Second minute, Ryan Cattermole delivered a long throw into the Ilkley penalty area.

After a bobble in the box, Otis Gorman managed to swing the ball round the goalkeeper and on the line, Jack Lynch got in front of a back-peddling defender and got the crucial touch to equalise at the death for Darwen.

It was Delirium for the Darreners and despair for the Yorkshiremen. 2-2.

The game ended with both sides taking a point and both remaining unbeaten on Four points after their first two league games.

A courageous comeback, full of character by the Salmoners. Darwen now concentrate their efforts to Steeton away on Saturday.