11/8/2007 KIRKHAM & WESHAM 5 DARWEN 0


The worst possible start to Darwen’s new season happened here today, as newcomers Kirkham & Wesham outclassed them, and ran out worthy winners.

The home team started at a tremendous pace, and were ahead after only 4 minutes when Thompson headed forcefully home from a corner, and Paterson made it two five minutes later with a well judged lob over advancing Darwen keeper Dawson.

On 23 minutes a hopeful shot from the left into the Darwen area was misjudged by Dawson. The ball went through his hands but just by the post. Nine minutes later, Thompson just failed to score again with another clear header from a corner.

A rare attack by Darwen this half saw them awarded a free kick. The ball was passed to Neil Almond, who had got in behind the Kirkham defence. However, Lancaster in goal spotted the danger, and ran out to bravely smother the ball at the feet of the Darwen forward.

Any hopes of the away side finding a way back into the game were dashed on the stroke of half-time. A Darwen pass was intercepted near the halfway line and the ball was threaded through for Paterson to run onto. He rounded both defender and keeper, and angled a shot into the net.

Half time: Kirkham & Wesham 3 Darwen 0

Kirkham started the second half as they finished the first. A through ball found Paterson, and it looked like goal number four, but he delayed the shot for a fraction, which allowed Ross Dawson to dive onto the ball.

Darwen started to get into the game as the home side relaxed, but two corners and a free kick in quick succession failed to trouble the Kirkham defence, though after 60 minutes they were unlucky when a Dennis Hill volley from 25 yards hit the junction between post and crossbar. In another attack, Stuart Telfer headed the ball back into the path of Chris Ingham, but his shot was well wide.

Kirkham still looked dangerous, and increased their lead with a break down the left by Horsfall, who pulled a low pass back into the Darwen area. It found unmarked Wane, who slotted the ball home. Five minutes later, the same player got an outstretched foot to another cross, but this time Ross Dawson got a hand to the shot to deflect it away for a corner.

The home side’s fifth goal appeared on 78 minutes. A clearance by the Kirkham defence close to the Darwen penalty area was brought under control by Wane, despite the attentions of two defenders. He slipped the ball right to unmarked substitute Taylor, and his low shot gave the Darwen keeper no chance.

Jon Stephenson caused the Kirkham defence a slight scare near the end, as his header lobbed over Lancaster in goal, but bounced off the crossbar.

It is difficult to assess the meaning of today’s result at the moment, as Kirkham & Wesham are playing at a higher level for the first time, having been West Lancashire League Premier Division champions four seasons running. Time will tell if they can keep up this level of performance. Darwen can play a lot better than they did today.

Full Time: Kirkham & Wesham 5 Darwen 0

ATTENDANCE: 101

GOALS:

Kirkham & Wesham: Thompson (4), Paterson (9, 45), Wane (66), Taylor (78)

TEAMS:

Kirkham & Wesham

1. Paul Lancaster
2. Allan Jackson
3. Tony Keefe
4. Phil Thompson
5. Dougie Shaw
6. Paul Eastwood
7. Phil Blackwell
8. Mick Horsfall
9. Ged Smith
10. Mark Wane
11. Sean Paterson
15. Matthew Ogden
16. Keith McCulloch
17. Andy Taylor

Darwen

1. Ross Dawson
2. Chris Ingham
3. Lee Stott
4. Daniel Finch
5. Charlie Moss
6. Dennis Hill
7. Stuart Telfer
8. Jason Jones
9. Neil Almond
10. Richard Fogarty
11. Martin Parkes
12. Dominic Slaven
14. Jon Stephenson
15. Matt Morris
16. Paul Mashiter