Lewis On Sport

Sam Knowles hat-trick sees Darwen clinch cup classic

A hat-trick from midfielder Sam Knowles booked The Salmoners’ place in the next round of the First Division Cup. 

Nelson took the lead from the spot early on before a quick-fire double from Knowles just after the interval saw Darwen level and then into the lead.

But the visitors, with the aid of a huge deflection, were back on terms shortly after.

The Reds’ number 8 added a third not long before time to secure Kenny Langford’s side their second win in as many games.

Nelson got the season’s third ‘El Hotpot’ of the season underway at a rain-soaked Anchor.

Rio Wilson-Heyes was unlucky not to get on the end of a threatening-looking ball over the top – Nelson keeper James Catlow had to be quick off his line to clear.

Mccauley Smith was sent away down the right by a brought down in the box and the referee awarded the visitors a penalty kick.

Nelson’s number 9 Jack Foster dispatched the penalty into the bottom right-hand corner with conviction. 0-1. 12 minutes gone.

It looked like Darwen had replied almost-instantly when Leon Creech had the ball in the back of the net, but The Salmoners’ top-scorer was dubiously denied by the linesman’s flag. It looked very tight.

Despite falling a goal behind, Darwen looked calm and confident on the ball in their search for an equalising goal.

A great effort from Lewis Cumpsty from the right-hand side had the Nelson keeper back-pedalling and the ball sailed just over his crossbar.

Alex Grice – vital touch to prevent the ball going through to Rio who would have been one-on-one with the keeper.

Rio Wilson-Heyes smashed a wild attempt way over the Nelson goal from the right flank.

Luke Jarrold was carded for bringing down a Nelson man as he was advancing towards Holden’s goal.

Dylan Meredith drilled a pretty central free-kick wide of Holden’s right-hand post. He really should have done better with the opportunity.

Nelson goal-scorer Jack Foster smashed the best chance from open play for either side wide of the post.

Not long before the interval, Ryan Steele chipped a dangerous ball towards the six-yard box and a Nelson man almost sent the ball into his own net.

Rio took the ball infield from the left and unleashed a searching strike that squirmed wide of the left-hand post from the edge of the area.

Seconds later, the winger forced a good save out of Catlow from close-range.

HALF TIME: DARWEN 0-1 NELSON

Darwen had played pretty well and to be honest, the only thing they didn’t do was the thing they needed to do most – score.

SECOND HALF

Darwen would surely get themselves back into this one if they kept playing like they did in the first period.

A great low curling effort from the edge of the box by number by Kit Lloyd really tested Holden who palmed away for a throw-in.

Nelson definitely had the best of the first few minutes of the second period.

Steele looked to cross into the area, blocked by a Nelson defender which led to hushed appeals for a handball.

A fantastic header from Sam Knowles caught the Nelson keeper off-guard as it dipped into the right-hand corner. 10 minutes into the second half and, out of nowhere, Darwen were level. 1-1.

The game had sprung into life. Nelson should really have re-took the lead when their number 10 Kit Lloyd ran on to a loose ball.

Lloyd and his teammates would be left to rue that missed chance as Darwen would take the lead just seconds later and Sam Knowles was the scorer again.

Knowles was aided by a slack touch from a Nelson man in the area, all he had to do was nod past the keeper from short range. 2-1. 59 minutes on the clock.

Martin Middlehurst had a go from long-range and the midfielder saw his effort fly just over the crossbar.

The visitors equalised via a wicked deflection – Dylan Meredith side-footed towards goal in the area and Holden was totally stricken by the deflection. 2-2. 26 minutes to go.

By this point, the game had turned into a proper cup tie.

With just over 20 minutes remaining, both teams were pushing to find a winner.

Accrington Stanley loanee Jack Doherty came off the bench to make his home debut for The Salmoners.

Holden did well to fist a fierce strike from the edge of the box away from goal.

Nelson frequently tested Holden but couldn’t beat Darwen’s number 1.

With just five minutes of normal time remaining, Sam Knowles won the game for Darwen, completing his hat-trick in the process. A cool finish into the bottom left-hand corner from close range put The Salmoners 3-2 up.

Jack Doherty played a big part in the build-up and was really unfortunate not to score himself when he saw his effort come back off the right-hand upright.

Doherty was extremely unlucky again with his next opportunity that rolled just wide of the keeper’s right-hand post.

That was the last action of the 90. Darwen had won and progressed into the second round of the First Division Cup.

FULL TIME: DARWEN 3-2 NELSON

The Salmoners will face St Helens away from home in the second round on Thursday 10 March.

ATT: 90

THE TEAMS

DARWEN

STARTING XI

1. Stefan Holden

2. Lewis Cumpsty

3. Thomas Entwistle

4. Luke Jarrold

5. Christopher Smalley

6. Martin Middlehurst

7. Billy Flitcroft

8. Sam Knowles

9. Leon Creech

10. Ryan Steele ©

11. Rio Wilson-Heyes

SUBSTITUTES

12. Enoch Takpe

14. Ben Langford

15. Jack Doherty

16. Clayton Gorman

NELSON

STARTING XI

1. James Catlow

2. Charlie Lloyd ©

3. Sam Lloyd

4. Jake Lloyd

5. Harrison Hull

6. Alexander Grice

7. Mccauley Smith

8. Ryan Cattermole

9. Jack Foster

10. Kit Lloyd

11. Dylan Meredith

SUBSTITUTES

12. Rowan Chambers

14. Nathan Webb

15. Jack Holt

16. Sean Ince

17. Adam Bolton