Match Report

An injury riddled Darwen side welcomed league strugglers Shelley Community to the Multevo Anchor Ground with expectations high going into the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Salmoners dominated the opening exchanges, with a few half chances. Captain Nathan Bond nearly got on the end of an Ashley Brierley cross and Gary Basterfield found some good space in the area but his shot was deflected over the crossbar.

Already low on numbers, an early injury to Brayden Shaw forced the attacker off and came on Jack Lynch. Soon after in the Seventeenth minute against the run of play, the visitors took the lead. A well worked move found James Bootland and the back post and the striker tapped home. 0-1.

Buoyed by the goal, Sheley doubled their advantage just two minutes later. Jenson McAliskey found space just outside the area, he cut inside from the left and rasping shot past Fieldhouse 0-2.

Shelley had only scored two goals all season before the game and now had two goals in less than Twenty minutes. The Anchor ground fell silent in shock with an upset on the cards.

In the next Ten Minutes, Darwen had two goals disallowed. The first in which a ricochet found Kit Lloyd who rebounded the ball in off the post. The second a clear one-on-one which Gary Basterfield tucked home with ease. Unfortunately on both of these occasions the linesman had his flag up. Darwen would still trail by Two.

To make matters worse for the hosts, substitute Jack Lynch had to come off through injury with Matt Johnson entering the fray. He was called into action straight away as he forced Shelley striker McAliskey onto his weaker side to smash the ball over the crossbar.

On the stroke of half time, Darwen found a way back into the contest. A cross by Ashley Brierley found Nathan Bond in the area and the captain headed home past Day to give the Salmoners some belief. 1-2

In first half stoppage time, Darwen piled the pressure on. Bond again looked threatening and a volley of his was parried away by Day. Shelley must’ve been hoping for the half time whistle and they got their wish.

The visitors led by a goal at the interval.

It was expected that Darwen would come into the second period as they left the first but Shelley soon after the break increased their lead.

Jacob Hawke on the half volley guided the ball into the top right hand corner. 1-3.

Darwen looked to have an uphill struggle ahead of them. Shelley even hit the bar soon after the third goal with Jugal Thapa shaking the woodwork from distance.

To Darwen’s credit they are resilient and against a Shelley team containing the game pretty well, they still created chances. Firstly, Kit Lloyd headed into the arms of the keeper from inside the Six yard box and moments later, Brierley managed to get a shot away which was well gathered by Paul Day.

Darwen brought on coach Rhodri Giggs for his debut with Chris Lynch departing an attacking move that paid dividends with the experience of Giggs, calming down the rushed football displayed by the Salmoners desperate to get back into the match.

With just less than Fifteen minutes to go, Brierley found Sam Holt on the wing and the defender sent a dangerous ball across the box. At the back post was Gary Basterfield who rifled in a superb volley into the top left hand corner. Darwen had a lifeline. 2-3.

A tired Darwen side kept up the pressure, as the visitors also tried to push forward to re-establish a two goal cushion but a near identical goal to the Salmoners second occurred.

This time it was Brierley with this second assist of the game, crossing for Basterfield. The left winger this time smashed his volley over Day off the bar and in. The Anchor Ground erupted in jubilation. It was Basterfield’s Third goal of the season and Darwen were back level 3-3 with Four minutes remaining.

Both sides then pushed in the dying embers to take the Three points but both sides had to settle for a point.

A courageous comeback by the Salmoners heading into the Bank Holiday Monday clash away at Ashton Town.