Darwen F.C. Reserves vs Blackpool Mechanics Reserves

Kick off 3.00pm 26 August 2006

Line up

1. Ray Booth (3) (sub 43min)

2. Nicholas Griffiths (2)

3. Philip Taylor (2) (sub 65 min)

4. Mark Taylor (2)

5. Richard Sheilds (2)

6. Peter Maynard (3)

7. Steven O'Brien (2)

8. Anthony Aspin (3) (captain) (mom)

9. Daniel Aspin (2) (sub 75 min)

10. Stephen Maynard (2)

11. Stephen Croft (2)

12. Lee Eccles (2) (43 min)

14. Tom Donaldson (2)  (75 min)

16. Jody Naylor(2)  (65 min)

Score

H/T      -      0-0

F/T      -      1-3

Scorers

L.Eccles

Assists

Steven O'Brien (40)

Report

The reserves struggled with the loss of six players from the team on Tuesday and the absence of an available goalkeeper.  Ray Booth deputised but was injured just before half time. However the game was a scrappy affair with few flowing moves.

During the first half both teams failed to impose themselves but Darwen were perhaps slightly the better team. Few chances were shared evenly but little else of note occured.

The second half saw the reserves start brightly and take the lead after good work from Steven O'Brien and Daniel Aspin down the right wing.  Lee Eccles lashing home a right foot shot. Blackpool came back into the game after this and equalised after a lofted ball caused confusion in the Darwen defence although there was a slight suspicion of offside. 

Mechanics continued to cause problems from set plays and it was a corner that resulted in two unmarked Blackpool players ricocheting a ball home.  From then on Blackpool poured forward and comedy defending saw them gifted a pass and able to slot home a third.

This was a steep learning curve for Darwen but the absence of a goalkeeper and injuries hampered the Darwen performance.  Hopefully they can pick themselves up for Tuesday.