Formby 2 Darwen 3

OVERCOMING inconsistent conditions underfoot, Darwen produced an excellent second half display to reach the second round of the NWCL League Challenge Cup at Brows Lane.

Second Division side Formby, currently battling it out at the top of the league, created more chances in the opening half.

But Darwen coped adequately with their route one football and were not seriously troubled.

The game opened up after half-time following a goalmouth scramble that saw the home side take the lead in the 55th minute.

Almost immediately, new signing Andrew Smith was introduced to the Darwen attack and his pace caused the Formby defence problems.

But it was Stephen Lynch who proved the decisive influence, having a hand in all three Darwen goals. After a good run down the right in the 65th minute, he cut in to the box, was hauled down and the referee awarded a penalty which Andrew Walsh converted to equalise.

Nine minutes later, Andrew Smith completed a searing run down the left flank with a cross to Lynch in the box and he hammered it into the roof of the net from close range.

Capitalising on a mistimed clearance with 10 minutes remaining, Lynch chested the ball down, struck it on the half volley and fired it into the top corner to put the now rampant visitors 3-1 up.

Formby rallied in the final minutes but didn't score their second until deep into injury time.

"They were a big, strong, horrible, physical side but we played well in the second half and it's a very satisfying result," said Darwen manager Ian McGarry.

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