Match Report

On a freezing Boxing Day, Darwen edged out local rivals Nelson in a Five Goal Thriller at the WEC Group Anchor Ground.

This friendly local derby known affectionately between supporters as the ‘El Hotpot’ didn’t disappoint and served up a Christmas Cracker of battle between two sides hovering just above the NWCFL Division One North drop zone.

Darwen were aiming to follow up their well earned point away at FC St Helens with a positive result in front of their loyal band of supporters, whilst Nelson were looking to turn a corner following six straight defeats.

Darwen started the game brightly. In the first Three Minutes Ryan McKenna was presented with two half chances.

His first effort was a cushioned header towards goal that was claimed easily and the second was a volleyed directed wide after good work on the right hand side by Kian Sharples.

Young Sharples, was making his second competitive start for the Salmoners after making his debut in the midweek draw at FC St Helens.

After the early spell of Darwen dominance, The Admirals from Little Wembley grew into the game. On Ten Minutes, midfielder Jacob Holgate sent a rasping shot narrowly over the bar in Nelson’s first attempt of note.

The hosts replied with a Sam Holt shot from outside the area, stinging the palms of Nelson goalkeeper, Jack Little.

With Twenty Four minutes on the clock, Darwen had their best chance of the half as Jack Lynch fed a ball through to Rio Wilson-Heyes right in front of goal, but his effort was weakly scuffed wide.

In the Thirty-Fifth minute, it was the visitors who took the lead. Nathan Bond couldn’t clear his lines out of the Darwen penalty area. Jacob Holgate took advantage, composed himself and his effort creeped past Fieldhouse who got contact on the shot but it was too powerful to keep out. 1-0 Nelson.

Nelson controlled the remainder of the first half, their only scare was a Jack Lynch shot which was deflected away for a corner and the Admirals went in One goal to the good at the interval.

Darwen boss, Kenny Langford rung the changes at the break with Anthony Lynch and Jack Lynch departing for Gary Basterfield and Martin Middlehurst. This double change was about to pay dividends but not straight away.

Ten minutes into the second half, Nelson doubled their advantage through Jack Holt. 2-0 Nelson. The Three Points looked certain to be going East towards the Yorkshire border, but there was a sting in the tale.

Only Eight Minutes later, the hosts pulled a goal back to give them hope. Gary Basterfield ,who only moments earlier had hit the post turned provider. His corner was headed home by Centre-Half, Chris Smalley. 2-1 and Game on.

This was only the start as the Basterfield and Smalley combination, came up trumps once again ten minutes later in the Seventy-Third Minute to draw the Salmoners level.

Basterfield whipped in a free-kick on the edge of the area which evaded the Nelson defence and was met by Smalley once again ,who volleyed home past Little. A Bergkamp-esque volley you’d associate with a composed striker rather than a defender. 2-2 and the game was back all square.

The Visitors started the crumble under the immense pressure they were now under. Rio Wilson-Heyes got played through one-on-one for the hosts and chipped the goalkeeper with the ball sailing into the net. Celebrations were cut short as the goal was disallowed for offside, but it wasn’t long until Wilson-Heyes could celebrate a goal.

On Eight Minutes, Luke McKenna was taken down in the area and the referee showed no hesitation and pointed to the spot.

Penalty for The Salmoners. Darwen’s top goalscorer Rio Wilson-Heyes stepped up and converted the penalty cooly, drilling his penalty into the roof of the net. It was the attackers’ Tenth goal of the campaign. The comeback was complete. 3-2 to Darwen.

The hosts managed the game out successfully in the final throws of the game with one excellent save from Lenny Fieldhouse to preserve Darwen’s lead.

A Huge cheer erupted round the Anchor Ground as the referee blew the final whistle. Darwen had come from two down to win the first El Hotpot derby of the season, 3-2.

Next up for The Reds is a home clash just after the new year celebrations against high flying Euxton Villa.