Padiham Saints J.F.C

Darwen Rangers 1-8 Padiham Saints

Goalscorers: Ben Parkinson, Tyrone Grant (4), Aiden Smith, Liam Smith (2)

What a great way to kick off our campaign, a comprehensive victory against an Darwen side we beat 4-1 in a friendly just a month or two ago.

The game did start deceptively even as we settled into the game. Our defense and goalkeeper did well to sweep up some of the early balls sent from the Darwen midfield. We created all the goalscoring oppertunities however - our first one being Tyrone volleying over the bar from the edge of the 18 yard box. We made the breakthrough after 10 minutes when Ben picked up the ball in the area and finished well across the keeper for 1-0.

We continued the pressure up to halftime with possession in the final third of the pitch and grabbed another 2 goals from Aiden and Tyrone. Darwen however refused to give up and after one of our trademark dozing off periods we lost a goal just before halftime to make it 3-1.

Second half and the same story, we tore Darwen to shreds on both wings and as a result Ty got himself on the scoresheet with one of those 'did-he-mean-it-or-didn't-he?' moments with a cross/shot that flew over the Darwen keeper into the far corner. Just a few minutes later he got his hattrick with a great free kick (at least I'm told it was great, I had my back turned for that one.)

Liam Smith added a goal with a nice finish into the bottom corner after some good work from the midfield.

Tyrone then got his fourth goal with one of those 'no-he-definitely-didn't-mean-it' moments when a corner snuck into an unguarded near post.

And to round it off Liam got his second goal, beating a defender before firing past the keeper from inside the area.

Final whistle and Saints pick up 3 points in their first game of the season. Top performance and a fully deserved scoreline.

That sums up the game especially at the start, we did pressure them and never let them settle, Darwen may not be the strongest team in the league but despite going behind they never gave up at any stage and football games still have to be won.

Tyrones free kick was a great goal, shame you missed it Tom but at least you've been told it was. (Like the rest of us)

Of course his goal from the corner was meant I could see from where I was he'd spotted there wasn't a guy on the near post. If you'd watched his eyes you could see he'd hit it hard and low deliberately and fooled everybody. (Pay me later Ty)

A good game for Saints spectators, we're probably going to get some bad ones so let's make the best of these. 10/10 lads.