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20/9/2008 VODKAT LEAGUE DIVISION 1 CHADDERTON 4 DARWEN 3

Although Darwen dominated large parts of the game, it looked like they were going to suffer a heavy defeat until a late rally almost turned the match around.

Manager Dennis Hill had again to make several changes to the starting line-up, but could welcome back Paul Walker from injury for his first game of the season.

It was twenty minutes before the first good chance appeared as the visitor’s Anthony Hodges scuffed his shot in site of goal, the ball drifting by the post. The same player had a better chance to open the scoring when put clear five minutes later by Ricky Fogarty, but blasted wide with only the keeper to beat.

The home side took the lead against the run of play on the half hour. They were awarded a free kick five yards outside the box. Green hit a low shot which struck a Darwen hand, and the referee pointed the spot. Despite strong protests of accidental handball, the penalty stood and was put away by Egerton.

The visitors came close to squaring the game as a corner was fumbled in the air by Chadderton keeper Swanson. Liam McMillan nodded the ball over him, but a defender was on the line to head clear. Just before the break, a bullet header by Adam Kowalski from a McMillan cross was directed straight into the arms of Swanson.

Into injury time, the home side produced a surprise second goal. Cregan received a pass on the edge of the area, and Calum Hennegan stopped his first effort. He retrieved the ball, and side stepping a defender, put another shot into the bottom corner. During the move, the ball bobbled up and appeared to hit his hand, but despite the protests of Hennegan and defenders, the goal was allowed to stand.

Half Time: Chadderton 2 Darwen 0

Darwen started the second half where they finished the first, putting good pressure on the home defence, but within ten minutes the home side had claimed another goal, when a corner from the left went over to the right post and found its way to the foot of Maynard, who standing a yard out, could not miss.

Shortly after, Chadderton’s Cregan was sent off for a second bookable offence, but despite this they scored a fourth goal when Green put a free kick around the wall and into the corner with the Darwen keeper seemingly unsighted.

On sixty five minutes, Darwen were awarded a penalty themselves as Lee Turner had his shirt pulled in the box. Ricky Fogarty’s spot kick was punched away by Swanson.

With twenty minutes to go the visitors were awarded a free kick in a similar position to that awarded to Chadderton. It produced the same result, with Adam Kowalski firing into the net around the wall. Within two minutes, the Salmoners scored another when Lee Turner’s head met a cross and sailed into the net.

It was now one way traffic apart from a couple of Chadderton breaks, but despite their efforts and some near misses, Darwen only got a third just before the end. A cross from Paul Walker was again headed goalward by Lee Turner, and although Swanson in goal made a good stop, he couldn’t prevent Mick Green following in to slide the ball home.

Full Time: Chadderton 4 Darwen 3

ATTENDANCE: 44

REFEREE: J Simpson
ASSISTANTS: R King, L Demaine

GOALS:

Chadderton: Egerton (29), Cregan (44), Maynard (55), Green (66)
Darwen: Kowalski (75), Turner (76), Green (89)

MAN OF THE MATCH:

Chadderton: Chris Pauley
Darwen: Liam McMillan

TEAMS:

Chadderton

1. Lee Swanson
2. Len Greenidge
3. Chris Pauley
4. Louis Maynard
5. Mark Egerton
6. Paul McLaren
7. Mick Green
8. Ian Knapman
9. Gareth Morris
10. Donovan Greenidge
11. John Cregan
12. Chris Caruthers (replaced Green, 53 minutes)
14. Paul Socha (replaced McLaren, 30 minutes)
15. Nathan Jackson
16. John Shaw (replaced Knapman, 76 minutes)
17. Ben Aspinall

Darwen

1. Calum Hennegan
2. Oliver Telford
3. Dennis Hill (Capt.)
4. Ed O’Neil
5. Mick Green
6. Chris Nuttall
7. Rick Fogarty
8. Adam Kowalski
9. Liam McMillan
10. Anthony Hodges
11. Ryan Cross
12. Dale Bullen (replaced Cross, 63 minutes)
14. Paul Walker (replaced Hodges, 56 minutes)
15. Lee Turner (replaced Hill, 63 minutes)