Darwen Reserves F.C. vs Daisy Hill Reserves F.C.

Kick off 3.00pm 30th September 2006

Line up (player rating)

1. Ian Harle (3)

2. Nicholas Griffiths (4) (mom)

3. Philip Taylor (3)

4. Chris Mcmillan (4)

5. Nicholas Brookes (3)  (captain)

6. Peter Maynard (3)

7. Rhendon Pillay (3)

8. Matthew Halse (3) 

9.  Ajat (3)

10. Daniel Aspin (3)

11. Gareth Costello (3)

12. Jody Naylor (2)  (85 min)

14. Richard Sheilds

15. Steven O'Brien

16. Stephen Maynard

17. Lee Eccles

Score

H/T      -     1-0

F/T      -      2-0

Scorers

Rhendon Pillay (3min)

Ajat (90  min)

Assists

Gareth Costello (3 min)

Report

A much needed win for Darwen F.C. Reserves and their re-jigged management team comprising of George Taylor and Billy Preston. The win came courtesy of two goals at either ends of the match.  Wedged in between however was perhaps Darwen's best performance of the season so far.  Bolstered by the introduction of four players on the fringes of the first team squad Darwen began purposefully and a short corner between Brookes and Costello resulted in a whipped cross to the back post that was nodded in by Rhendon Pillay.  Darwen looked solid at the back with the distribution of man of the match Nicholas Griffiths particularly impressing.  Daisy Hill did create some chances but lacked potency up front.

The second half was notable for a number of bookings for Daisy Hill's frustrated players.  Griffiths also finding himself booked for a late challenge.  Aspin hit the crossbar after a defensive clearance from Taylor. As Daisy Hill pushed for an equaliser the game opened up and Harle was called into action albeit briefly as he dived at the oncoming strikers feet.  It was this opening up of the game that eventually led to the decisive goal as a poor free kick from the Daisy Hill keeper ricocheted to AJ who calmly rounded the keeper and slotted into the empty net. 

This impressive win came from a strong team performance, the defence garnered their first clean sheet, the midfield looked well balanced and able to use the width of the pitch and both forwards looked able to score.  The win moves Darwen to tenth place and gives them a confidence boost ahead of next weeks tough trip to league leaders F.C. United.