Match Report

Darwen welcomed relegated side Skelmersdale United to the Multevo Anchor Ground for their first home game of the season. The Reds were looking to bounce back after an opening day loss at Maghull.

New signing Sam Dickinson went straight into the starting eleven after his move to East Lancashire from West Didsbury and Chorlton.

The Salmoners started the game brightly creating a series of half chances but the Skelmersdale defence remained resolute. Just after the half hour mark, Darwen came close to opening the deadlock after a Ryan Cattermole free-kick was headed onto the post at the back stick by Sam Llloyd.

On Thirty-Seven minutes and against the run of play the visitors took the lead after a defensive mix-up. Keyni Mills ran onto a loose ball and passed the ball into an empty net.

Skelmersdale saw them take their fortunate lead into the break but the Salmoners preserved and roared back in the second half as Manager Andy Harrison made changes to his personnel.

Darwen restored parity after an hour thanks to a thunderbolt from centre-half Fin Devenney who rifled the ball high into the goal from just inside the area.

Darwen, like a train, became relentless in attack. Just two minutes later young striker Dale Bury stopped low to head into the goal but the linesman’s flag was up for offside.

On Sixty-Seven minutes Darwen were awarded a penalty as Sam Lloyd was taken down in the area. Up stepped Talisman, Leon Creech but a brilliant save from Ben Barnes denied the prolific striker.

Four minutes later the Salmoners finally gained the lead. Great work on the left by Gary Basterfield resulted in him crossing the ball into the path of Bury who turned the ball past Barnes. This time he wasn’t thwarted by the offside flag and an eruption of euphoria echoed round the Anchor Ground.

The hosts doubled their lead with Thirteen minutes to play as Kit Lloyd dribbled round the Skelmersdale midfield into the box to square for Creech who made no mistake after his earlier penalty miss.

As the final few minutes closed in Darwen made it four as Creech worked tirelessly to shrug off his man, charge forward towards goal and slide in Bury for his second of the contest.

The Additional time board indicated a further minimum of Six minutes and there was still two goals to be added before the final whistle. A cool finish from Alex Priestley reduced the visitors arrears to two goals in the Ninetieth minute giving them brief hope.

This hope was dashed in the dying embers of the match as this time Bury turned provider for Creech. Bury showed strength and stamina as he raced down the right to pull the ball across to Creech who slammed the ball into the bottom right hand corner.

This was Creech’s One Hundredth goal for the Salmoners. A magnificent milestone to achieve and secure the Three points.

A tremendous performance and result for Andy Harrison’s side who secured their first victory under the new management team.