Match Report

After a dramatic late win on Saturday, Darwen travelled to Brocstedes Park in good spirits.

Dale Bury, Jacob Holgate and Rio Wilson-Heyes returned to the starting eleven for a rain soaked contest down in Ashton-In-Makerfield.

Darwen took the game early to the hosts and on Seven minutes they opened the scoring. A well worked corner routine found it’s way to Fin Devenney at the back post ball who cushioned the ball high into the roof of the net.

Just Five minutes later, the Salmoners doubled their advantage. Jack Foster turned his man on the edge of the area and managed to get a shot away towards goal.

Beswick in the Ashton net got a hand to it but the effort was too powerful for him and trickled just over the line.

Things got even brighter for the visitors in the Twenty-Sixth minute as talisman Leon Creech added a third running onto a through ball from Foster to calmly stroke home his Ninth goal of the campaign.

Dominant Darwen continued to impress and made it Four before the break.

Wilson-Heyes found time and space Twenty-Five yards out before unleashing a powerful shot straight into the top corner.

After the interval, Darwen continued in the same manner and added to their tally as Foster secured his second of the game.

This time Creech turned provider for the former Barnoldswick striker as he beat keeper’ Beswick to the ball to prod home number Five.

On the hour mark Darwen manager, Andy Harrison made a succession of substitutions and fully utilised the Darwen bench.

This is when Athletic begun to grow into the match but they would only get on the scoresheet with Seventeen minutes to play as Callum Wilson unmarked headed in a corner.

Ashton may have scored another consolation late on from the penalty spot but Darwen goalkeeper Harry Turner pulled off a fantastic save to keep the score at 5-1.

Darwen’s jubilant travelling support gave a great ovation to their team at the final whistle.

They will now turn their attention to the visit of Atherton Laburnum Rovers at the Anchor Ground on Saturday.