Lewis On Sport

A.F.C. Darwen vs Daisy Hill F.C.

Daisy Hill down Darwen in tight battle

Darwen fell to a third successive league defeat at home against Daisy Hill on Saturday (14th August) with the Greater Manchester side striking late to complete their comeback and take all three points from what was quite a scrappy encounter.

Going into this one, Kenny Langford changed Darwen’s shape, ditching the five-at-the-back system that he had used in the first three league games against South Liverpool, Chadderton and Holker Old Boys and opting to use a flat back four with a diamond in midfield instead.

The hosts got the game underway.

Daisy Hill’s number 11 Connor Hughes had an early chance on the counter-attack, his shot from range was smothered by Holden

Skipper Ben Langford had Darwen’s first attempt on goal when the ball broke to him at the edge of the box from a corner – Daisy Hill keeper, Connor Stone parried his volley over the bar.

The first proper chances of the game fell the way of the visitors. Holden was forced into making a good save and then the rebound was volleyed narrowly wide.

Daisy Hill full back Matthew Davison put a great ball into the area that almost found the head of Severino but the Darwen back line did just enough to put him off.

Despite looking the less threatening of the two sides, Darwen took the lead in the 43rd minute – Creech brought down Langford’s threatening ball over the top and put The Salmoners in front with a cool and composed cross-goal finish into the bottom right-hand corner. It looked as though Darwen were going to go in a goal to the good but Daisy Hill – with Creech down injured – levelled the game at 1-1 with the last action of the half.

HALF TIME: Darwen 1-1 Daisy Hill

One could have been forgiven for thinking that those in attendance were going to be in for an enthralling end-to-end 45 minutes with clear cut chances a plethora for either side after a dramatic phase of play early in the second half – in which, Holden made a brilliant save to deny Daisy Hill frontman Hensley Mills from close range and Creech dragged a shot wide of the left-hand post when he was presented with a decent chance to put The Salmoners back in front. However, this phase of play turned out to be just a brief interlude in a fairly uneventful second half that saw few clear-cut chances for either side.

The game did liven up as the second half progressed with both teams looking to find a winner – but at the same time, it felt as though neither team was willing to truly commit.

Cumpsty made a brilliant last-ditch interception to deny a Daisy Hill forward a clear goal-scoring opportunity. Holden also made a couple of key interventions to keep the score level.

Just a matter of minutes before time, Daisy Hill’s number 8, Severino – the undoubted star of the show – scored the winning goal – and it was goal that his impressive performance deserved. The midfielder turned on the edge of the 18-yard box before unleashing a low and powerful effort to beat Holden.

FULL TIME: Darwen 1-2 Daisy Hill

The Salmoners will obviously be frustrated to have lost the game so late on but it is crucial that the side put that frustration behind them and focus on getting something from these next two difficult away games at Garstang and Ilkley Town respectively.

THE TEAMS

DARWEN

STARTING XI

  1. Stefan Holden
  2. Lewis Cumpsty
  3. Aaron Hewitt
  4. Daniel Banks
  5. Luke Jarrold
  6. Scott Ravenscroft
  7. Ben Langford ©
  8. Sam Knowles
  9. Leon Creech
  10. Ryan Steele
  11. Yann Daryl

SUBSTITUTES

12. Rio Wilson-Heyes

14. Silas Itotayagbon

15. Martin Middlehurst

16. Alexander Mortimer

18. Thomas Entwistle

DAISY HILL

STARTING XI

  1. Connor Stone
  2. Matthew Davison
  3. Glenn Matthews
  4. Jake Foster
  5. Oliver Turner ©
  6. Dean Singleton
  7. Jonathan Mafolo
  8. Bruno De Almeida Severino
  9. Hensley Mills
  10. Jake Obrien
  11. Connor Hughes

SUBSTITUTES

12. Danny Warburton

14. Jordyn Fitton

15. Riche Makelele

16. Karl Farrell

18. Harrison Masuamba

Lewis Heyn

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