Match Report

After defeat in the FA Vase to Heaton Stannington, Darwen returned to NWCFL action looking to build on Three straight league wins. In their previous meeting with Runcorn Town the sides played out a Nine goal thriller with Town coming out on top 5-4.

The Salmoners started brightly and carved out a few half chances in the first Ten minutes of the contest. Chris Lynch had an early header tipped over by Runcorn Town goalkeeper, Dane Byron and soon after Jack Lynch lashed a shot wide from just outside the area.

Darwen’s early dominance paid off after Nineteen minutes when Leon Creech flicked the ball over a defenders’ head into the path of Gary Basterfield. The winger showed supreme composure as he took the ball towards goal and rifled the ball into the bottom right hand corner 0-1.

Just two minutes later, the visitors had a goal ruled out for offside. A great team move ended with Leon Creech tapping home from close range but the linesman already had his flag up.

After nearly being Two goals down, the hosts finally sprung into life. Veteran midfielder, Kevin Ellison took advantage of a Darwen defensive miscommunication and tee’d up striker, Joel Ankers to guide the ball past Lombard 1-1.

After the equaliser, Runcorn got a real foothold in the game and became the more assertive team. On Twenty-Seven minutes, Ellison took aim from a good Thirty-Yards and his hot rattled against the crossbar and bounced down on the goal-line. The home players and fans screamed that the ball had gone over the line but their protests fell on deaf ears and the teams remained deadlocked.

This parity did not last long as in the Thirty-Fourth minute, The Salmoners found themselves back in front. The Hosts failed to see out a relatively comfortable ball across the goal which resulted in Brayden Shaw sneaking in at the back post to head home for his Fifth goal of the season 1-2.

Once back in front, Darwen saw out the rest of the first half with ease and took their lead into the interval.

Darwen started quickly out of the blocks in the second half and nearly extended their lead minutes after the restart. Brayden Shaw intercepted the ball on the edge of the Runcorn penalty area but his effort was curled over the bar.

At the hour mark, Runcorn should’ve drawn level. A clever through-ball was played into the path of Jamie Apperley but Darwen goalkeeper, Oliver Lombard flew out of his goal and produced a point blank stop to keep the Salmoners ahead.

The hosts would rue that miss as just Three minutes later, Darwen scored their Third goal.
Kit Lloyd drove forward towards the Town area and played through Leon Creech to confidently drive his shot hard and low past Byron. It was the striker’s Fourteenth goal of the season 1-3.

Darwen safeguarded their cushioned lead really well until very late on. With Three minutes of normal time remaining, Runcorn were awarded a dubious penalty. After a few minor complaints, it was a shock to see Darwen keeper, Oliver Lombard red carded for his protests. With no goalkeeper on the bench, defender Charlie Lloyd picked up the gloves for the remainder of the game.

Lloyd’s first action as goalkeeper was to pick the resultant penalty out of the net as Joel Ankers got his second of the game from Twelve yards 2-3.

Six Minutes injury time was added and there was plenty of nerves amongst the Darwen supporters and bench. Town threw a late barrage of crosses into the Darwen box, but the defence and stand-in keeper Lloyd stood firm with a huge relief at the full time whistle.

Darwen made it Five wins in their last Six matches and Five straight wins in league action.

In the process they leapfrogged Runcorn Town in the table. The Salmoners will now turn their attention to Steeton at home on Saturday.