WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE RESERVES 2 V 4 DARLEY DALE LIONS Darley went into this one as they looked to add to a very successful preseason campaign so far. Both the in form Jordan Watts and captain Jon Cooper both looking to add to their tally for the season this was surely going to be a treat for everyone involved . With a few changes to the side due to holidays and working commitment Darley wasn’t going to let that upset their camp. Morale was high but on paper this was the by far the toughest test so far this season. Wirksworth fielded a strong side for the start of the game with several first team players occupying the shirts. Lions were more than a match for the quality in the Wirksworth side and settled into the game very early on. Darley left back askew played in Jordan Watts for the first chance of the evening with only 4 minutes on the clock just to see his early shot whistle just over the Wirkswoth keeper’s crossbar. Wirkworth then came in to the game and started playing some football of there own with Lions keeper Dan Ansley being bought into action in the 13th minute and right back Liam Ashton clearing his lines a minute later. Again proving to be a handful as he has looked for most of the season so far, Jordan Watts was at the centre of a move and his link up play with Darley striker Billy Lester saw the ball yet again just the wrong side of the crossbar. The game was end to end with both midfields playing very well with moving the ball around. Midfielders Jack Stevenson, Callum Musgrove and Matt Wright proving to be more than a match for their Wirkworth counter parts. Darley finally found the breakthrough after 19 minutes when they won a free kick 30 yards from goal and Jon Cooper found room inside the box to slot home only to see the referee pull the play back and disallow the goal. The Darley pressure continued with various chances and Lester again blazing over from 35 yards out. Finally though the breakthrough did finally come with an excellently delivered free kick by Billy Lester which was met at the back post by Captain Jon cooper giving Lions the lead on the stroke of half time. The second half Lions came out like a hare out the traps. Midfield again linking up to cause problems for the Home side. Chances falling again to Lester and Stevenson both coming close to extending the lead. Darley then were awarded a free kick 9 minutes into the second half 22yards from goal. Up stepped Jordan Watts who uted a perfect free kick past Wirksworth keeper to double the Lions lead. Less than two minutes later Midfield class of Stevenson showed as he unleashed a 30 yard shot low beyond the Wirkworth keeper to add more misery to the home team’s dismal evening, 3 - 0 and game over. Wirksworth did pull one back half way through the second half but this didn’t stop the hungry Darley Dale Lions wanting more goals. Again Lions took the game to Wirksworth and again Watts shooting just wide of the top right angle. Stevenson and Lester also missing great chances to extend the lead. Then, again a masterclass in football by midfield maestro Stevenson. He picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and slotted the ball under the keeper to make it 4 -1 to the men from Darley Dale and game over. Wirksworth did manage another goal which somehow ended up in the net after a mix up in the defence but by then it was too late.
