Actual Score: Saints 4-1 Rangers
After much waiting, we finally got our new season going with this friendly against Darwen, who were a much improved side since we last played them near the end of last season, bringing in a few new players (including a new keeper, which helps as the last one they had must have been one of the smallest in the league).
We started the first half fairly poorly, not keeping possession enough and not going forward with any real conviction. We were looking like conceding the first goal, and were lucky not to when an unmarked Darwen player blazed over the top of the bar from just a few yards out. We can put down the poor early performance to the lack of match practice recently, but we did start to wake up as the game progressed.
Not a lot of clear chances for us during the first half, but as soon as we managed to carve Darwen open with a free kick over the top of the defense, Ollie prodded over the top of the keeper for 1-0.
Most of Darwens chances were coming from free kicks around our area, and we paid the price eventually due to a 'breakdown in communication', leaving Darwen to finish from a couple of yards out. 1-1
Second half, and we abandoned our 4-5-1 in favor of trying out a 4-4-2 lineup. And we were looking much more comfortable using it as well, more passing combinations further up the pitch and a very composed back four led to a less erratic second period. And not to far in to the half, Kurt unleashed a fantastic long range shot past a rooted Darwen keeper. 2-1 and game on.
Throughout this half, we never really looked like conceding, I can't remember Crabby being tested at all. I wouldn't say we ran the game, but we certainly were the better team. And this was proved when we got our 3rd, 'Mr Cool' Fletch, picking up the ball just to the right side of the goal on the byline, virtually walking past the Darwen defender and keeper and placing it calmly into an open goal from a tight angle.
And to round of the night, Tyrone hammered a left foot strike in off the bar from a distance. Ref James didn't give it though, despite all our shouting on the touchline. The only people that weren't shouting goal were him and his assistant ref, who I can only assume was having a cup of tea at the time. Some of you may remember me giving a rather similar goal to the Rooks not to far back. If you are reading this, James, you owe me and my team a goal.
But all bitterness and ranting aside, a 3-1 win isn't too bad against a completely new and improved Darwen Rangers. We shall try and organize a replay soon to prove it wasn't a fluke. In the meantime, get rested for training on Thursday, fitness is on the menu - you will all hopefully be going home attached to respirators and sporting oxygen masks. But, please, don't let that discourage you...
-Tom
