Lewis On Sport

Darwen advance in FA Vase against 10-man Handsworth

Darwen secured their spot in the next round of the FA Vase on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 win over 10-man Handsworth at The Anchor.

After a fairly even start to proceedings, Handsworth – who beat Goole 3-0 in the last round – had their number 8 Joe Ryan Parkin sent off for foul and abusive language.

In the second half – with the opposition a man down – The Salmoners seized the opportunity, scoring twice in quick succession to put the contest to bed.

Sandro Da Costa put Kenny Langford’s men one up in the 78th minute before Joe Almond added a second not long after.

Darwen got the game underway.

Holden made a smart save from an early corner to keep out a close range effort.

The first chance for either side came from the left peg of Reds’ left back Gary Basterfield who struck the foot of the right post with a free-kick from about 25 yards out.

The game was fairly even in the opening stages, with The Salmoners showing signs of promise going forward.

Handsworth appeals for a penalty were waved away by the referee. The visitors had claimed that a Darwen had used a hand to block Sam Smith’s effort from the edge of the area.

Holden made a good save to deny The Ambers’ number 10 Mitchel Dunne from opening the scoring

A long throw landed at the feet of Joe Almond who showed some good strength to hold off a Handsworth defender before laying off to Alfie Carmichael but the strikers effort from the edge of the box was too tame to trouble Ben Townsend in the visitors’ net.

At the other end, a long range shot flew past Holden’s right-hand post. The away side appealed strongly for a corner, but the referee saw it differently. Goal kick.

Moments later, Handsworth‘s number 8 Joe Ryan Parkin was sent off for foul and abusive language. The visitors were down to 10 with 22 minutes on the clock.

After the sending off, the game became a rather scrappy affair, with both sides opting to go long instead of looking to put a good move together.

Hushed appeals for a Handsworth penalty were waved away by the referee after the away side’s left back went down under a challenge just inside the area. It looked very soft.

Darwen started to establish a bit of a grip on the game as half time.

With Darwen looking to pile on some pressure, a nasty collision between Carmichael and Townsend in the Handsworth goal as both men looked to reach a loose ball in the six-yard box left both men down and in need of treatment.

Carmichael was harshly adjudged to have fouled the keeper and was booked.

Just before half time, Carmichael saw a low shot blocked by an Ambers defender after he was found in the box by an intricate ball from Almond.

HALF TIME: DARWEN 0-0 HANDSWORTH

SECOND HALF

Darwen enjoyed a lot of the ball in the opening minutes of the second period. As The Salmoners probed for an opening, Nathan Bond flashed a powerful effort not far wide of target.

Handsworth should have taken the lead after Holden failed to properly deal with a deep cross and the ball fell to James Eyles. It looked harder to miss but miss he did and the deadlock ensued. The forward side-footed wide of the left post, however.

Smith then volleyed a half-chance over the bar for the away side.

Basterfield unleashed a wild effort from a tight angle when the ball fell to him on the edge of the six-yard box.

Kenny Langford’s men were coming forward more and more often but there wasn’t much in the way of clear-cut chances.

Hopeful appeals for a Darwen penalty after Bond slipped in the area were quickly waved away by the ref.

A nice move involving Almond, Wilson-Heyes and Carmichael culminated in Darwen’s number 9 registering The Reds’ first shot on target of the half.

As the game approached its final 20, Holden made another strong stop to keep the score level.

Almond was played through one-on-one and momentarily it looked like he was about to give Darwen the lead before the linesman raised his flag. It looked very tight.

With 78 minutes on the clock, Darwen’s patience and hard work paid off. A low strike from substitute Sandro Da Costa deflected past Townsend, nestling in the back of the net to the sheer euphoria of Darwen’s players and fans. 1-0. 12 minutes remaining.

Just four minutes later, Almond doubled Darwen’s advantage with a cool right-footed cross-goal strike. 2-0.

Sandro Da Costa went close to adding a second to his tally and a third for Darwen’s with a long-range strike that went wide of the right post.

The visitors looked beaten after Costa and Almond’s strikes, with The Reds seeing the game out with relative ease.

There was to be one more chance for Darwen before time was up. Costa was played through one-on-one but Townsend made a really good save to ensure the score stayed 2-0.

FULL TIME: DARWEN 2-0 HANDSWORTH

Playing against 10 men aside, this was a hard-earned and fully deserved victory for The Salmoners – especially after their misfortune at home to St. Helens last week.

Darwen now await the draw for the next round which will take place on Monday (26 September).

THE TEAMS

DARWEN

STARTING XI

1. Stefan Holden

2. Luke McKenna

3. Gary Basterfield

4. Christopher Lynch

5. Christopher Smalley

6. Daniel Ashburner

7. Nathan Bond (C)

8. Martin Middlehurst

9. Alfie Carmichael

10. Rio Wilson-Heyes

11. Joe Almond

SUBSTITUTES

12. David Lang

14. Nathan Strong

15. Jack Bennett

16. Sandro Da Costa

HANDSFORTH

STARTING XI

1. Ben Townsend (C)

2. Anthony Mackie

3. Michael Trench

4. Toby Kenyon

5. Liam McFayden

6. Alfie Smith

7. Jack Harrison

8. Joe Ryan Parkin

9. Sam Smith

10. Mitchel Dunne

11. James Eyles

SUBSTITUTES

12. Morgan Jones

19. Klearchos Flanders

14. Alexander King

15. Robert Ludlam

16. Leon Howarth

17. Rion Arbouin

ATT: 116