Match Report

The In-Form Salmoners welcomed Steeton to the Multevo Anchor Ground looking to follow up from last weekend’s away victory at Runcorn Town.

The game started as a very even affair but Darwen had a golden chance in the Seventh minute when a Gary Basterfield cross was headed wide by Salmoners captain, Nathan Bond. Darwen kept up this pressure with Kit Lloyd breaking into the area but his goal-bound shot was blocked terrifically by on-rushing Steeton defender, Josh Kaine at the last moment.
In the Fifteenth minute a long range free-kick by Brayden Shaw was excellently parried over the bar by Steeton keeper, James Catlow.

The visitors then grew into the game. In the Twenty-Third minute, George Gormersall connected with a dangerous ball flashed across goal by former Darwen winger Jake Townsend. Gormersall diverted the ball onto the post, nearly breaking the deadlock.

Darwen seemed to dominate possession for most of the first period but The Chevrons had the better of the chances. Debutant Darwen goalkeeper, Zach Biggs was called into action on a number of occasions, saving efforts from Jake Townsend and George Gomersall. The former Bury and Nelson goalkeeper looked quite at home marshalling the Darwen backline.

With five minutes remaining of the first period, Josh McKiernon rattled the crossbar for Steeton from around Twenty-Five yards out. This seemed to wake Darwen up going into the final moments of the half. Darwen would then have a spate of half chances, the best falling to Kit Lloyd. The former Nelson midfielder found himself on the edge of the area in space, but his shot flew high and wide confirming a stalemate at the interval. A very even first Forty-Five minutes on balance.

Just two minutes after the restart, the Chevrons opened the scoring. Jake Townsend drove into the Darwen box, picked his spot and drove the ball hard and low past Biggs to score against his former club. 0-1

Steeton wouldn’t have the lead for too long. Seven minutes later, great work from Ash Brierley on the right hand side ended with the full back bursting down the wing to send a dangerous ball across the goal.

The ball ricocheted around the box but Kit Lloyd steamed into the area to rifle the ball through Catlow and into the back of the net. Parity was restored. 1-1.

The game then became an end to end affair for a few minutes. Kit Lloyd hit a half volley sweetly on the hour mark but his effort crashed back into play off the upright. Moments later Steeton hit back with a good chance that fell to Rory Langdon but his header dipped just over the crossbar.

Darwen made a triple change with Chris Smalley, Brandon Lonsdale and Akim Samms coming on to replace Nathan Bond, Jack Lynch and Gary Basterfield. This tactical move changed the game as in the Eighty-Second minute, the Salmoners took a late lead. Substitute Samms marauded down the right wing, he beat his man and put the ball cross for Leon Creech who slammed the ball home for his Fifteenth goal of the campaign. 2-1

With Five minutes to go, Darwen extended their lead and wrapped up the Three Points.

On the counter attack and with gaps in the Steeton defence, as they pushed forward for an equaliser, Brandon Lonsdale marched through the Steeton midfield, he laid the ball off to Samms on the wing and the pacy attacker cut inside and unleashed a rasping shot into the bottom right hand corner. 3-1

Darwen would see out the rest of the game and pick up their Fifth consecutive league win. The Players were given an appreciative and jubilant reception as they left the pitch. The Salmoners will now turn their attention back to progression in the Edward Case cup as they welcome Euxton Villa at the weekend.