The Yellows got off to the perfect start when Luke Crompton struck a superb effort into the net inside five minutes — a crisp finish that set the tone for what looked like a promising afternoon. However, Darwen grew into the contest and began to show why they have been in strong form. Ashton were forced to defend for much of the first half, and although Darwen saw more of the ball, Ashton held their shape well to take the lead into the break.

The second half, though, belonged largely to the hosts. Darwen found their equaliser in the 65th minute, and from there the momentum swung. The home side’s first goal owed much to fortune, but the home side did deserve to get back into the game, and from then on Darwen capitalised on their pressure, the 2nd goal coming just two minutes later in the 67th minute.

Ashton did have a golden chance to level the match at 2–1 with a header at the far post, but the opportunity was missed, and Darwen made the most of their reprieve, scoring the 3rd goal in the 89th minute.

If the scoreline was disappointing, Ashton certainly had goalkeeper Ewan Dodgson to thank for keeping the contest alive as long as it was. The on-loan keeper produced a string of outstanding saves — including two point-blank reflex stops — to prevent the scoreline from being far more damaging. His performance was rightly recognised as he collected the Fans’ Player of the Match award.

There were also strong defensive performances from full-backs Jake Greene and Alek Calaku, while Sam Oko and Cal Wilson again showed resilience and leadership at the heart of the back line. Also No. 10 Johnny Sodhi and Will Adams had strong games and deserve a mention.

In the end, though, Darwen’s strength, physicality and second-half intensity proved decisive.

Ashton will naturally feel frustrated. Once again, the football was good in periods, the structure was solid, and the work-rate couldn’t be faulted — yet the result slipped away. It has been a theme of the season, but one that can be corrected.

The focus now shifts again to league action on Saturday, where the opportunity awaits to turn performances into points with a home game against AFC Blackpool.

Full-Time: Darwen 3–1 Ashton Athletic
Ashton Scorer: Luke Crompton (5’)
Yellow's Player of the Match: Ewan Dodgson

Starting XI
1 Ewan Dodgson
2 Jake Greene
3 Aleksander Calaku
4 Calum Wilson
5 Samuel Oko
6 Zach Conway
7 William Adams
8 Luke Crompton
9 Deklan Hill
10 Jonathan Sodhi
11 Joshua Nicholson

Substitutes: Emmanuel Ujahchuku, Declan Wildman, Joseph Barlow. Niall Partridge,Jason Foulds.

All Photographs and Media by Nic Cain

Next Five Matches:
Date Opponent K.O.
08/11/25 AFC Blackpool (H) 15:00
15/11/25 Garstang (H) 15:00
18/11/25 Lancaster City (H) 19:45
26/11/25 AFC Blackpool (A) 19:45
29/11/25 Steeton (H) 15:00

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Match Preview
North West Counties Division One North – Saturday, 3pm
Multevo Group Anchor Ground
Ashton Athletic make the relatively short trip to the Multevo Group Anchor Ground this weekend, looking to turn solid performances into points as they face an in-form AFC Darwen side.
The hosts enter the fixture full of confidence, sitting 5th in the table with 17 points from 10 games, and boasting back-to-back 4–0 victories over Colne and Garstang. When they click, Darwen can be ruthless in front of goal, and their recent results reflect a side playing with rhythm and belief.
However, they are not without vulnerability. Defeats to Ashton Town and Daisy Hill in the weeks prior show they can be disrupted when pressed and forced out of their stride — something Ashton will no doubt look to exploit.
For The Yellows, the story of the season has been performances without the reward they have deserved. Energetic displays, defensive resilience and strong spells of possession have too often gone unreflected in the scoreline. Injuries have played their part, yet the character and work rate within the squad remain unquestioned.
The task on Saturday is clear: take chances when they come, stay compact, and maintain belief.
If Ashton can match their recent intensity and sharpen their cutting edge in the final third, there is every chance they can disrupt one of the division’s early pace-setters and return home with something to show for their efforts.
Support will once again be key. The players have shown fight, commitment and togetherness, and the backing from the travelling supporters will only strengthen that.
Kick-Off: 3pm
Come On You Yellows. ?⚽

Ground: Multevo Group Anchor Ground
Address: Anchor Road, Darwen, Lancashire
Postcode: BB3 0BB
Telephone: 07778191788