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12/8/2008 VODKAT LEAGUE DIVISION 1 DARWEN 0 HOLKER OLD BOYS 2

Darwen, still not back at full strength, conceded a goal in the last few minutes of this match when they appeared to be close to winning it.

Holker started the match at a quick pace and created two opportunities in the first ten minutes. On fifteen minutes, Matt Pendergast connected with a twenty yard effort that the Holker keeper Stephens had to tip over the bar. Holker’s Howarth beat two defenders as he made his way into the Darwen box, but screwed his effort well wide of the post.

A good through ball by Ryan Cross on forty minutes had Pendergast breaking on goal, but Stephens was alert and dived bravely at the striker’s feet to gather the ball. Five minutes later, Calum Hennegan had to be alert to push an effort from the edge of the box by Southward over the bar.

Just before the break, a corner from Dennis Hill on the right was put over towards the back post, and Matt Woods headed the ball back into the danger area. Matt Pendergast got his head to the ball first, but floated it over the bar.

Half Time: Darwen 0 Holker Old Boys 0

The home side created the first real chance of the second half. A Dennis Hill shot was blocked by the Holker defence, and the ball rebounded to Ryan Cross, but his shot was on the turn was not controlled and went high over the visitor’s bar.

The first goal of the game arrived nine minutes into the half. Holker’s Bamber slid a ball into the box, and Southward connected with the shot. Calum Hennegan appeared to have the shot covered, but a Darwen defender stuck out a leg and the ball deflected into the net.

The away side should have had a second goal ten minutes later. A clearance from the Holker defence put Lowe free just over the halfway line. With the Darwen defence upfield, Lowe had a clear run on goal. Hennegan ran out to meet the attack, but Lowe was first to the ball and pushed it past the stranded keeper. Instead of running the ball into an empty net, he decided to strike it on the move and ended up screwing his effort wide of the left hand post.

Darwen were now putting Holker under pressure, and successive corners saw Ricky Fogarty and Matt Anderton go close. Dennis Hill ran on to a pass down the right wing and put a first time ball in along the Holker goal area line. Ricky Fogarty failed to connect properly and put his effort wide.

The home side’s pressure finally paid off on eighty two minutes. Dennis Hill floated a free kick from twenty five yards out into the Holker box. Matt Woods headed towards goal. Stephens managed to palm the effort away, but the ball fell to Ricky Fogarty who made no mistake from two yards out.

As Darwen pressed for the winner, Holker were awarded a free kick just inside the Darwen half. The ball was flighted into the home side’s penalty area, and although the danger was cleared, Bamber picked up the rebound and slid the ball through to substitute Hargreaves, who had made an unseen run into the area. Hargreaves pushed the ball past Hennegan to give Holker a last gasp victory in the last minute of normal time.

Full Time: Darwen 1 Holker Old Boys 2

ATTENDANCE: 18

REFEREE: M Corns
ASSISTANTS: J Carter, M Hoole

GOALS:

Holker Old Boys: Southward (54), Hargreaves (90)
Darwen: Fogarty (82)

MAN OF THE MATCH:

Holker Old Boys: ??
Darwen: ??

TEAMS:

Holker Old Boys

1. Sam Stephens
2. Barry Stevens
3. Gareth Smith
4. Chris Squirrel
5. Graham Capstick
6. Danny Pattison
7. Todd Bamber
8. Rob Howarth
9. Paul Southward
10. Chris Lowe
11. Joe Murphy
12. Jack Hargreaves (replaced Lowe, 84 minutes)
14. Reece Hudson
15. Robert Coulter

Darwen

1. Calum Hennegan
2. Oliver Telford
3. Mark Banyard
4. Ed O’Neil
5. Matt Woods
6. Matt Anderton (Capt.)
7. Ryan Cross
8. Dennis Hill
9. Matt Pendergast
10. Rick Fogarty
11. Alex Disley
12. Mark Knowles (replaced Banyard, 64 minutes)
14. Anthony Hodges (replaced Disley, 60 minutes)
16. Dale Bullen (replaced O’Neil, 87 minutes)