Date: 12th December 2004
This was a game of two halves as Darwen controlled the game in the
first half with Garswood gaining the upper hand in the second.
This was a tough encounter between two teams that were determined
to give a 100% in an attempt to take all 3 points from their first meeting
of the season. Garswood were a big and physically intimidating
team and for the first 5 minutes pushed Darwen back. After a couple of
crunching tackles Darwen realised that they had nothing to fear and took
the game to Garswood for most of the remainder of the half.
New signing Ralph put a looping header in and the Garswood keeper
did well to get her fingers to the ball to tip it out for a corner. Darwen
tried to move the ball wide to the wingers at every opportunity with Craig
and Chadwick playing well down the flanks with Craig in particular giving
her marker a none to easy time. The game was limited to few clear
goal scoring opportunities but on 30 minutes Garswood played the ball
over the top of the Darwen defence and cutting in from the left the
Garswood striker hit a raising ball into the top corner of the Darwen net.
It was the first bit of pressure that Garswood exerted and very much
against the run of play. Darwen responded and on 34 minutes a flick on
from Wright was met by Craig who outpaced the Garswood sweeper to
drill her shot into the roof of the net.
Half-time: Darwen 1 - Garswood 1
The start of the second half saw Garswood almost take the lead from the
off, as a ball over the top was met by the the Garswood captain whose
shot was pushed out by Phillips and the rebound was blasted over the bar
from 6 yards out.
Garswood continued to play the long ball into the channels and over the
top which pushed Darwen back. Garswood wern't frightened to shoot
from distance at every opportunity which was testiment to the solid job
that the very young Darwen backline of Brindle, Wilde, Frith and Fleck
were doing. Ralph had another chance for Darwen on 58 minutes as she
met a good cross from the left with her head but the Garswood keeper
saved with her feet.
Garswood had a good opportunity on 65 minutes when a header was
flashed just wide of the post from a dangerous cross from a corner. Ralph
had another chance for Darwen 2 minutes later when she flashed a shot
just wide of a the Garswood post. There then followed a 10 minute period
when Darwen lost their way as Garswood were first to everything in midfield
following the substitution of Ramsden through injury in the Darwen midield.
On 82 minutes Garswood gained the lead as a loose ball down the Darwen
centre was not cleared and the ball was collected by a Garswood midfielder
who hit her shot right into the top corner of the "Salmoners" net.
Darwen responded and pushed Garswood back for the last 5 minutes but no
real opportunity was created and Garswood hung on for the 3 points.
Comment
Generally a good game that Darwen did not deserve to loose. Infact Darwen had the clearer scoring chances with Ralph making a promising debut in an unfamiliar
team. Garswood will take some beating as they are well organised and big and
strong. Their long ball game paid dividends on the day as they gradually got the
upper hand in the second half.
Final score
Darwen Ladies 1 Garswood Ladies 2
About Darwen Ladies
Darwen (between Blackburn and Bolton) have been
the most successful girls and ladies club in the North West in the last 4
seasons. Lancashire league champions at U14's twice, U14 Cup runners-up
twice, U16's cup winners twice and U16's league runners up. The ladies have
had 3 successive promotions as champions in the North West Women's Regional
League and now play in the Premier division. Everton, Preston, Manchester
United or Burnley don't come close to that record.
New players - junior or senior are welcome with a Development / Reserve team
playing in the Lancashire County league.
Joining
Interested in
joining? Checkout the website
www.darwenladiesfc.com or
email
darwenlfc@hotmail.com.