Lewis On Sport

Weakened Darwen fall to 2-0 cup defeat

The two teams walked out onto the Giant Axe surface a week later the planned following last week’s postponement due to Storm Barra.

Coming into this one, The Salmoners were hoping to not only advance to the semi-finals but to turn their torrid fortunes of late around also, having lost their last five matches. Both of which were going to be difficult

Darwen got their last game before Christmas underway.

The hosts took the lead with five minutes on the clock but the Darwen backline was unfortunate after making two blocks to initially deny City taking the lead. Charlie Bailey dispatched the rebound beyond Matthew Wright. 1-0.

Darwen were trying to assert some authority on what had started off as pretty scrappy proceedings.

Bobby Langford couldn’t take advantage of a stroke of luck that fell Darwen’s way. A Lancaster defender mis-timed his header when he attempted to clear a long ball over the top. The ball fell into the path of the forward, who could only unleash a tame effort on goal after cutting inside.

Perhaps due to their bad form of late, Darwen were lacking in confidence and – with it – creativity going forward. Far too many ‘searching’ balls were going astray.

Matthew Wright was then on hand to keep the score-line at 1-0 after The Salmoners failed to clear a dangerous-looking corner delivery.

Lancaster goal-scorer Charlie Bailey dragged an attempt to find the top left-hand corner comfortably over Wright’s crossbar.

A great effort from City full-back Anderson had Wright beaten from 25 yards. Flew just over the crossbar.

A stoppage in play then ensued with Matthew Wright down receiving treatment – it is the last thing The Salmoners need.

Wright got back to his feet and was impressively equal to a firm strike by Charlie Bailey from the edge of the area.

Darwen were enjoying more lengthy spells of possession but weren’t threatening enough with the ball at their feet going forward. Most of The Salmoners opportunities to get back into the game were coming from set plays.

With around five minutes to go until the interval, Rio Wilson-Heyes went into the book for a blatant takedown just inside the Darwen half.

It looked as though Darwen were going to be gifted an equalising goal when keeper Dowling pushed a fairly tame effort straight into the path of Bobby Langford.

It looked as though the injury was proving to be no problem for Wright who made two fine saves in quick succession, first from a header six-yards out and then from point-blank range.

Referee Andy Sykes took no notice of Darwen’s appeals for a penalty.

Another decent stop from Wright right on the verge of half-time. Despite being the latest player to join The Salmoners’ ‘walking wounded’, he is keeping the side in the game here as things stand.

HALF TIME: Lancaster City 1-0 Darwen

SECOND HALF

The hosts got the second half underway looking to preserve their narrow lead and book their place in the last 4.

The second period got off to a pretty even opening few minutes.

Darwen were repeatedly failing to make use of the free-kicks in good positions

they were getting.

The ball broke to Matt Johnson on the edge of the centre-circle the Darwen man went for the spectacular, his effort fell around five yards wide of Dowling’s left-hand post.

Lancaster then had a great chance. A cross came in from the left-hand side but Bailey miscued his header. The striker should have scored.

Christian Sloan did what Bailey was struggling to do and doubled The Dollies’ lead. His strike from around 20 yards out that took a wicked deflection off a Darwen defender. Wright was completely wrong-footed as the ball nestled in the bottom left-hand corner. It was very harsh on the stopper who had kept Darwen in the contest. 2-0.

The hosts began to tighten their grip on the game as the second half wore on. Anderson would have done better in finishing off a free-flowing passing movement had he not lost his footing at the crucial moment.

The second goal had effectively brought an end to the match as a contest.

With a few minutes of regular time remaining, Darwen were awarded a free-kick in a relatively decent area. Ben Langford took and unleashed a curled effort which was clearly intended for the top right-hand corner. 

FULL TIME: Lancaster City 2-0 Darwen

All things considered, The Salmoners gave a decent account of themselves against stronger, higher-ranked opposition.

Goalkeeper Matthew Wright was superb, keeping Lancaster at bay despite picking up an injury in the first half.

The Salmoners are next in action against on (Monday) December 27, hosting play-off chasing Campion at the Anchor.

THE TEAMS

LANCASTER CITY

STARTING XI

1. Aidan Dowling

2. Samuel Bailey

3. Ben Anderson

4. Lewis Fensome

5. Benjamin Hudson

6. Ryan Graham

7. Robert Wilson

8. Simon Wills

9. Eric Yahaya

10. Charlie Bailey

11. Nathan Reid

SUBSTITUTES

12. Andy Teague

14. Christopher Sloan

15. Glenn Steal

16. Liam Brockbank

17. Joel Davidson

DARWEN

STARTING XI

1. Matthew Wright

2. Jake Townsend

3. Clayton Gorman

4. Christopher Lynch

5. Sam Holt

6. Christopher Smalley

7. Ben Langford ©

8. Nathan Bond

9. Leon Creech

10. Rio Wilson-Heyes

11. Bobby Langford

SUBSTITUTES

12. Matthew Johnson

14. Ellie Hayhurst

15. Sam Knowles