In the late 19th century Darwen had a football league side, they did not achieve much as a league side apart from the fact that for the best part of 100 years they held a league record of 18 successive defeats, this record was cruelly snatched from them when Sunderland had the temerity to lose 20 on the bounce in 2005/6 a run which ended when they arrived at Deepdale and won 2-0.
Due to a drastically bad run of results Darwen are now in the North West Counties League div 2 a full nine divisions below where they were.
Today was my first ever visit to the Anchor ground to see one a FA Vase match against Maine Road who as the name suggests are from Manchester.
Road are one division above Darwen and on paper favourites for the match. Although Road are 8th in the top division they are a full 22 points behind leaders Runcorn Linnets who have 50 points.
Given it was November the pitch was in good nick although the grass did seem a shade long, there is a well appointed club house which seemed homely and warm and is the lifeblood of clubs like this.
As for the game Darwen dominated from beginning to end although they looked decidedly alehouse in the opening half when playing with a deceptively stiff breeze at their backs. They had plenty of chances to take the lead but spurned them all and it was noticeable that as the half wore on Maine Road were slowly getting into the game. Darwen had a glorious chance to take the lead before half time however the home player went for power and blasted over from 6 yards.
One unusual aspect of the first half was the sight of a Darwen player bringing cups of tea out for the management and the substitutes certainly would not happen at the Etihad or Anfield.
Road started better in the second half but did not trouble the home keeper. Soon it was one way traffic towards the Road goal, the home side wasted yet another chance when the winger took far too long to make up his mind about trying a shot, didn't matter though 21minutes from the end the home side took a deserved lead, Coote weaved his way past a couple of defenders before easily beating the keeper. Within 8 minutes it was two when Turner gently lobbed the ball into the net from the edge of the box. Darwen could have had others but did not matter as they strode ever closer to a Wembley appearence. They won't get there but they can dream.
AFC Darwen 2 Maine Road 0 Att 123
Forgot to add this game cost £3 pound to get in, a bargain
Due to a drastically bad run of results Darwen are now in the North West Counties League div 2 a full nine divisions below where they were.
Today was my first ever visit to the Anchor ground to see one a FA Vase match against Maine Road who as the name suggests are from Manchester.
Road are one division above Darwen and on paper favourites for the match. Although Road are 8th in the top division they are a full 22 points behind leaders Runcorn Linnets who have 50 points.
Given it was November the pitch was in good nick although the grass did seem a shade long, there is a well appointed club house which seemed homely and warm and is the lifeblood of clubs like this.
As for the game Darwen dominated from beginning to end although they looked decidedly alehouse in the opening half when playing with a deceptively stiff breeze at their backs. They had plenty of chances to take the lead but spurned them all and it was noticeable that as the half wore on Maine Road were slowly getting into the game. Darwen had a glorious chance to take the lead before half time however the home player went for power and blasted over from 6 yards.
One unusual aspect of the first half was the sight of a Darwen player bringing cups of tea out for the management and the substitutes certainly would not happen at the Etihad or Anfield.
Road started better in the second half but did not trouble the home keeper. Soon it was one way traffic towards the Road goal, the home side wasted yet another chance when the winger took far too long to make up his mind about trying a shot, didn't matter though 21minutes from the end the home side took a deserved lead, Coote weaved his way past a couple of defenders before easily beating the keeper. Within 8 minutes it was two when Turner gently lobbed the ball into the net from the edge of the box. Darwen could have had others but did not matter as they strode ever closer to a Wembley appearence. They won't get there but they can dream.
AFC Darwen 2 Maine Road 0 Att 123
Forgot to add this game cost £3 pound to get in, a bargain
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People got to shout to stay alive
People got to shout to stay alive