Match Report

After defeat to Maine Road on Saturday, Darwen looked to bounce back on home turf against newly promoted Thornton Cleveleys.

Wholesale changes were made to the starting Eleven with Chris Bailey returning from suspension and starts were given to Rio Wilson-Heyes, Akim Samms and new signing Nathan Emery.

Much like previous games, the home side flew out of the traps. In the opening minute Gary Basterfield whipped a dangerous cross to the back post. Centre half, Fin Devenney met this cross but flicked the ball narrowly wide.

Waves of Darwen attack were well repelled by the visitors and against the run of play, they took the lead on Nineteen minutes. Jordan Beavers latched upon a defensive mix-up to intercept the ball and turn it into an empty net.

The Salmoners attack soon became unrelenting as Thornton goalkeeper Mark Smith had to deny Devenney and later Samms. Darwen got their rewards just before the break as Leon Creech prodded home a Basterfield cross to restore parity. Both teams went in as equals at the interval.

Darwen’s attacking approach didn’t disappear after half time and once again they were right at the Thornton Cleveleys defence. The most notable effort in a flurry of chances was a Gary Basterfield rocket from just outside the area that cannonned off the bar.

The attacking onslaught didn’t deter the visitors and they made Darwen pay for their wastefulness in the Fifty-First minute. Oliver Wilkinson found space and time in the area to coolly slide the ball past Harry Turner.

To everyone’s shock, the Fylde Coast club doubled their lead just Six minutes later as they grew more comfortable into the contest. Jordan Beavers picked up his second goal of the game as he darted in at the back post to poke the ball home.

With Twenty-Five minutes remaining Darwen found a route back into the match. Basterfield was upended in the box and the referee with no hesitation pointed to the penalty spot. Creech stepped up and made no mistake from Twelve yards out. Darwen had a life-line.

Darwen huffed and puffed as they tried to force an equaliser. Rio Wilson-Heyes struck the post from just inside the area and the hosts started to bombard the visitors box.

In the second minute of injury time Darwen drew level. Good work from substitutes Jack Coop and Sam Lloyd culminated with the ball falling to Leon Creech to secure his Hat-Trick. It was Pandemonium at the Anchor Ground.

But, there was another twist in the tale. After the rollercoaster of emotions, there was soon to be total dismay for the Salmoners.

In the last attack of the match, in the Ninety-Fifth minute, Thornton Cleveleys snatched the victory. Oliver Wilkinson ran into the box on the left hand side and curled a well timed shot past Turner.

With only one win from the opening Four games, Darwen need to start getting points on the board. They will look to put it right against AFC Blackpool on Saturday.