A closely contested game at the Anchor Ground. Darwen have made it a fortress this season so we knew we’d need to be at our best to get a result.

We had a decent opportunity on 10 minutes when Darwen struggled to get a corner away – the ball pinged around before the eventual shot was hit well over.

The home side increasingly exerted pressure, mainly through their 7 on the right wing and got their reward on 19 minutes with the opening goal.

West had a great chance to equalise almost immediately, Taylor just putting her finish wide when a pass was whipped in to the area.

Darwen extended their lead on 26 minutes – an unmarked header from a corner.

Another great West chance went begging on 33 minutes and we were slightly fortunate to earn a penalty a minute later. Shortz made no mistake from the spot and West finished the half back in the game.

Half-Time – 2-1

Joy made a great save early in the second half to deny Darwen a third, and she was definitely the busier of the keepers as the match went on, albeit most of the chances created by the home side were pretty straightforward saves for her.

West carved out chances of their own, most notably on 62 minutes and then again on 70, a lovely pass from Alicia out to Jami whose fine cross was headed just wide by Taylor.

Darwen continued to probe but neither team could find another goal, and the home side claimed another 3 points at the Anchor Ground.