Match Report

After two defeats The Salmoners travelled to sunny South Yorkshire to face NCEL outfit Dearne and District in the First Qualifying round of the FA Vase. Ashley Brierley and Jack Coop returned to the starting eleven as Darwen looked to secure a home tie in the next round against Maltby Main.

The visitors started the game off brightly and in the Eight minute they nearly broke the deadlock. A cross from Coop was met at the back post by Nathan Emery but the left back’s header hit the inside of the post and bounced out to safety.

Darwen dominated proceedings until mid-way through the first half. A great ball over from Jack McKay was met by Bayley Lowe whose diving header crept inches wide.

On the half hour mark, the Reds were dealt a blow when their rock at the back, Fin Devenney hobbled off injured and he was replaced by Charlie Lloyd. After this change both teams cancelled each other out and both sides went into the break on equal terms.

Manager, Andy Harrison’s teamtalk must have been heeded as Darwen took the lead just Six minutes into the second half. Kit Lloyd drove on through midfield and played a cute ball into the path of Coop. The target man managed to round the keeper and slide the ball into an empty net.

This was Coop’s first goal for the club since signing during pre-season.

The hosts picked it up a gear after going behind but some superb defending from Sam Holt and Chris Bailey helped Darwen keep their slender lead.

In the dying minutes the Salmoners (playing in their popular pink kit) nearly doubled their lead. Rio Wilson-Heyes managed to break away on the counter attack and his through ball found Kit Lloyd who managed to get a shot away but it was straight at the Dearne goalkeeper, Dan Morton.

After Six minutes of injury time, Darwen managed to hold on to secure their place into the next round. At the end of the game the players and management team came over to their away support to exchange pleasantries and thank them for making the long journey.