Match Report

The Salmoners hosted fellow East Lancashire side Padiham in the First Round of the Macron Cup as Storm Barbet creeped into the UK. Darwen would be up against a team in a higher division but looking to make home advantage count as the Anchor Ground has become a but of a fortress in recent weeks.

The game was a close affair in the first ten minutes. Darwen had the best chance of the opening exchanges when Akim Samms beat his man to find Brandon Lonsdale in the area. Lonsdale against his former club made good connection to the cross but he was thwarted on the line by an onrushing Padiham defender.

This early scare for Padiham sparked them into life where the controlled most of the first half. Charlie Disney-Ridge headed over the Storks first chance and on Eighteen minutes, Jamie Ramwell had the goal at his mercy after a rebound off the post but failed to slot the ball home as his follow-up drifted wide.

Former Darwen striker, Jack Iley looked to be a thorn in the Salmoners side and had a couple of half chances midway through the first period. Iley also set up Disney-Ridge on the edge of the area but Darwen goalkeeper, Oliver Lombard was alert and tipped the effort over the crossbar.

As the half wore on Darwen started to claw back some momentum. Devenney had a header at close range blocked on the line and Akim Samms drew a good save from Matthew Hamnett but the teams went in on equal terms at the interval.

The home side came out ‘all guns blazing’ at the beginning of the second half with Leon Creech missing the target on two occasions.

The pendulum swung back towards Padiham with around Twenty minutes to go when they had a spell of dominating possession. Ramwell and Hyon Seol, had efforts saved by Lomabard and the Darwen defence remained resolute. This resilience swung the game back in Darwen’s favour late on but Brandon Lonsdale and Jack Doherty couldn’t convert their shots on goal.

A stalemate was confirmed via the final whistle and the game headed to Penalties.

Darwen came out 3-2 victors and progressed into the next round of the Macron Cup. Brandon Lonsdale, Brayden Shaw and Nathan Bond converted their spot kicks as Oliver Lombard saved two Padiham penalties to see the Salmoners through.