Match Report

Darwen travelled to Ashton-In-Makerfield for their fourth game of the season.

An injury crisis thwarted selection in attacking areas as Darwen could not call upon five strikers all on the treatment table.

The Salmoners started the better of the sides with Sam Holt a thorn in the side of Athletic.

Twice in the first Ten Minutes, the defender got on the end of two Ryan Cattermole long throws, but both headers were calmly collected by Henry Turner in the Ashton goal.

Against the run of play, the home side carved out the best chance of the first half with Lenny Fieldhouse saving from close range.

Darwen then seemed to dominate the rest of the first period without creating many chances, the highlight being Nathan Bond pulling the ball into the path of Bobby Langford Twelve yards or so out, but the attacker directed his shot straight into the gloves of Henry.

It was all square at the interval. 0-0.

Six Minutes after the restart, The Yellows took the lead.

Dale Korie-Butler, after a bobble in the box managed to direct an effort goal-bound that found the net. 1-0 to the hosts.

Ten Minutes later, Athletic doubled their advantage.

A deflected effort from Kyle King managed to loop up and evade Fieldhouse at his near post. 2-0 to the home side.

Darwen’s only instant reply came just after Seventy Minutes as a well worked team move found Basterfield on the left hand side but his effort whistled wide.

Soon after new signing Enoch Takpe entered the fray to a great reception from the Darwen fans.

On Eight-Three minutes, The visitors were awarded a penalty for handball blocking a goal-bound attempt.

Darwen Man of the Match, Gary Basterfield in the absence of top goalscorer Leon Creech, picked up the ball and placed it on the penalty spot.

The left winger tucked the ball home from Twelve Yards. 2-1, Darwen had a glimmer of hope.

As injury time beckoned, Darwen lumped balls into the Ashton box. Takpe, squared the ball back for Nathan Bond, the Darwen fans held their breath but Bond’s effort creeped inches wide of the post.

There was no fairytale comeback for the Salmoners.

Though they were defeated, Darwen went off to a great reception from their travelling band of fans.

The season is a marathon not a sprint. Next up is South Liverpool at the Anchor Ground on Saturday.