Saturday, 11th July 2009: PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY AFC DARWEN 3 AFC LIVERPOOL 0

A good crowd turned out for AFC Darwen’s first ever match against a full strength AFC Liverpool team from the North West Counties League and they were entertained to an end-to-end match which produced some very good passing football.

AFC Darwen started off the better and indeed controlled the first half and had the majority of the play.Right from the kick-off they had Liverpool on the back foot and had a couple of corners in the early minutes.

The pressure increased and AFC Darwen were rewarded after about ten minutes when they broke down the right wing and a pin-point cross was met by Karl Turner who placed his shot beyond the Liverpool keeper to make it one nil.

AFC Darwen were now becoming more and more confident and passing the ball about well. Several minutes after the first goal they doubled their lead with a well taken Paul Posteraro goal.

AFC Darwen added a third goal before half-time. Karl Turner got the ball on the left wing and cut inside his defensive marker with ease and fired in a fine shot round the advancing keeper.

Half-time, three nil up and their illustrious opponents didn’t know what had hit them. A very fine first half performance from the newly formed team who had only started pre-season training five days ago.

Half Time: AFC Darwen 3 AFC Liverpool 0

The second half was a much more even affair with AFC Liverpool pressing and AFC Darwen hitting their opponents on the counter attack.

Both teams had chances in the second half and plenty of corners and free kicks around the box.

AFC Liverpool did find the net with a spectacular overhead kick only for the goal to be ruled out for offside by the assistant referee’s flag and AFC Darwen’s Jordan McQuarrie had a one-on-one that the keeper did well to parry away.

Overall, a very solid and skilful performance by the newly formed AFC Darwen and if they continue to play the same during pre-season and into the league season this could be a very successful inaugural season.

Full Time: AFC Darwen 3 AFC Liverpool 0

ATTENDANCE: 113

REFEREE: William King
ASSISTANTS: PeterDuckworth (line) and Adam Cook (line)

GOALS:
AFC Darwen: Karl Turner (2), Paul Posteraro

AFC DARWEN TEAM: Stefan Holden, Oliver Telford, Ben Walker, Karl Turner, Martin Parker, David Anwar, Danny Posteraro, Graham Perkins, Tony Roscoe, Paul Posteraro, Aaron Davies

SUBS: (All used) Tom Bailey, Martin Marlow, Nick Simmons, Anthony Hodges, Adam Wood, Chris Keating, Jimmy Conning, Jordan McQuarrie, Charlie Moss, Steven Simpson