AFC Darwen

Ground 20

Match 21

Nickname The salmoners


AFC Darwen host AFC Liverpool

The Anchor Ground



AFC Darwen were reformed in 2009 (used to be Darwen )

Capacity 4,000

FA Carlsberg Vase 2nd Qualifying Round

Admission £5

Programme £1.50 obtained 2

Attendance 90

Coffee £1

Distance from home in Leyland 12 miles.

AFC Darwen play in the North west Counties division 1

Found the ground easily as its just 2 minutes from junction 4 of the M65 motorway heading towards Higher Darwen from the roundabout . There's an incorrect signpost (Darwen FC) pointing to the ground along the A666 ( Turn left and keep to the right past a social club . )
There is parking outside the ground but i parked near the social/sports cub and it turned out to be a great move when leaving as cars were blocked in the car park .

The ground is cheerful but you won't get much response from the turnstile operator who just got on with his duties .
There are steps leading to a balcony , snacks hatch and lounge bar with an excellent view of the pitch . I managed to avoid the raffle ticket seller and made my way to the toilets .
There's a decent grandstand running most of the length of the pitch with plenty of bucketseating ; ideal for those mini cooper fanatics ; they'd love this and the PA system was ideal for them too ! You could blast away a few tunes without any distortion or feedback . The view is superb from most seats . There are spaces reserved for players and officials .
There were loads of AFC Liverpool supporters who were extremely vocal and supportive .
Darwen , in all red , started like a horse bolting ; within a minute Langford opened the scoring and it was a bonny goal , sweetly tucked into the net .
Pool (yellow shirts/red trim black shorts,yellow socks) couldn't get into their stride and Darwen looked increasingly likely to add to their early lead . Pool 's first serious chance came after half an hour and was followed by several more forrays before Edwards equalised on the stroke of half-time . To everyones amazement Darwen went straight up the pitch from the kick off and scored a second through Turner to make the half time score : AFC Darwen 2-1 AFC Liverpool .
The second half was much closer , 'Pool had got to grips with the pace of the game and were matching their opponents in every department but had to wait 'til the 84th minute before finally finding an equaliser through Shaun Chart . The 'Pool fans were extatic and the hand held rattles were in full flow .
The game finished 2-2 and an extra 30 minutes was announced via the tannoy which was very clear not like others which distort and crackle !
Many in the crowd including myself were surprised as we thought that was it !
Tension mounted and a few late challenges and tackles surfaced . The AFC Liverpool fans telling a Darwen player to leave one of their players alone -' He's only a school kid , ' they shouted , much to the amusement of everyone .
The 'Pool coach admonished his team for not keeping their shape , ' I'm not being funny , how many times do i have to tell you ? '
Chances at both ends but neither side could find the winner .
No penalty shoot off either , a replay instead .
Final score AFC Darwen 2-2 AFC Liverpool .
Thoroughly entertaining game , a quick exit from the ground and home within 15 minutes .

Match Officials 8 out of 10 Sgt Major type but generally up with the play and most decisions seemed fair .

AFC Darwen photos September 24th, 2011