Darwen impress in entertaining 5-2 win
Darwen returned to winning ways and ended a pretty torrid run with a 5-2 victory over Yorkshire outfit Steeton last Wednesday (8th September).
The sides came into the contest level on points having amassed just six points (from a possible twenty-four) a piece.
The visitors got the game underway and should have taken the lead with the first big chance of the game when a Steeton forward volleyed past the right-hand post on the rebound. Moments later, Darwen were to punish Steeton for wasting such a great opportunity. A lovely one-two between Creech and Bond resulted in the latter finishing off an all-round superb move. Bond eased the ball past the keeper from a few yards out. The goal that The Salmoners so desperately needed had arrived.
However, Darwen weren’t ahead for long. Steeton’s number 10, Kayle Price, levelled things up with a low-driven half-volley from inside the penalty area.
The away side should have gone in front when a Steeton man – who had latched on to a loose Darwen pass – saw an effort cannon back off the right-hand post.
It could definitely have been argued that at this point the game was the even encounter that the league table had suggested it would be prior to kick-off.
The Salmoners were presented with a great opportunity to re-take the lead when referee Daniel Simms awarded a penalty for Steeton keeper George Bristol’s tackle on Steele. Creech converted, smashing the ball past Bristol. 2-1. It could have been 3-1 not long after. Steele forced a good save from Bristol.
Despite Darwen re-taking the lead and creating decent opportunities to add to their lead, it should really be said that it wasn’t until the second half that Darwen established a real, firm hold on the game.
HALF TIME: Darwen 2-1 Steeton
The second period started in a somewhat scrappy fashion with either team really seizing the initiative.
But then, almost from nowhere, Darwen put themselves 3-1 up. Creech headed Steele’s cross onto the left-hand post and Entwistle was there to hammer the rebound in to the bottom right-hand corner
Moments later, Luke Jarrold made a crucial intervention, blocking a low cross that looked like it was going to be converted by one of the few Steeton forwards that were lingering in the area.
Just before the hour mark, it was game on once more as Price scored his second of the evening to make it 3-2. The Steeton man smashed the ball past Holden from the edge of the 18-yard box.
Darwen remained calm and focused on the task at hand, however, and with 67 minutes gone, Creech scored the hosts’ fourth of the night. The Salmoners’ top scorer ran onto a nice through ball from Wilson-Heyes and unleashed a low-driven cross-goal finish into the bottom left-hand corner.
Darwen, now seemingly brimming with their re-found confidence, continued to push forward and got themselves a fifth just four minutes later – and it was a case of provider turned scorer as Wilson-Heyes slotted the ball home.
There was a good bit of defending from Steele who cleared the ball of the line to deny the Yorkshire side a third goal.
Hession almost added a sixth for Darwen with a couple of minutes remaining but his shot fell the wrong side of the right-hand post.
FULL TIME: Darwen 5-2 Steeton
THE TEAMS
DARWEN
STARTING XI
- Stefan Holden
- Lewis Cumpsty
- Thomas Entwistle
- Luke Jarrold
- Samuel Holt
- Nathan Bond
- Ben Langford ©
- Clayton Gorman
- Leon Creech
- Ryan Steele
- Rio Wilson-Heyes
SUBSTITUTES
- Alexander Mortimer
- Bobby Langford
- Kiel Lonsdale
- Jonathan Hession
- Joshua Liversedge
STEETON
STARTING XI
- George Bristol
- Allstair Morgan ©
- Elliot Scott
- Omar Anjum
- Ben Kendall
- Tobias Jeffrey
- Mohammed Farhan Subhani
- Joshua McKiernon
- Benjamin Wignall
- Kayle Price
- Jake Townsend
SUBSTITUTES
12. Jerome White
14. Alex Preston
15. Luke Baldwin
16. Jack Lynn
17. Benjamin Darkins
Attendance: 140
Man of the Match: Rio Wilson-Heyes
Lewis On Sport 
Leave a comment