Colne 6 Darwen 0

Colne handed out a six goal thrashing to local rivals Darwen at the DM Pies Stadium on Tuesday night. A hat trick for Barney Wiggin, two goals for Jamie Walker and a worldie for Finley Denning saw the Reds run riot in a goal feast to entertain the home supporters.

Colne were first out of the blocks in this local derby and came close in the opening minutes with shots by by Saul Guffogg and Denning flying just wide of the target. And the Reds took the lead after eight minutes when a high cross from a corner kick was headed down in the visitors' goalmouth by Guffogg for Wiggin to knock home and give Colne the lead.

Darwen looked for a quick reply and Bruno Severino saw his well struck free kick cannon off Colne's defensive wall as the visitors forced a series of corners before Gary Basterfield fired just over the top of the Reds goal from a half clearance. And as Severino made a good attacking run, he slipped the ball through for Calvin Morris in the Colne penalty area with a sight of goal and only a vital clearance by Sam Lloyd prevented a goal.

As play switched to the other end, Wiggin released Miles Storey for a run on goal but his chip over the advancing keeper dropped just over the crossbar. But as Colne forced a series of corners, a second goal seemed likely and after 39 minutes Denning unleashed an unstoppable 35 yard shot to double the Reds lead.

Colne continued to create chances and on the stroke of half time the visitors' defence were unable to clear the ball from their goalmouth and Wiggin fired a shot on the turn past the wrong-footed keeper and into the net for the Reds third goal.

Three minutes after the interval, Ben Horne made an attacking run on the left wing and his curling cross was met on the volley at the far post by Walker to blast a shot into the net and put Colne four goals ahead. Two minutes later, the Reds went five goals ahead when Storey's cross from the left wing fell to Wiggin running through the middle who fired home past the helpless keeper to complete his hat trick.

As Darwen's frustration showed, Basterfield was sent off for a late tackle reducing his side to ten men. And on the hour, Colne added a sixth goal when Storey's cross from the left wing was met by a stooping header by Walker to send the ball into the bottom corner of the Darwen net.

Darwen looked for a consolation goal but found Colne keeper Harry Turner in unbeatable form as he dived of the feet of Morris in a one-on-one after 80 minutes and made a great save to push the same player's shot round the post in the closing minutes.

The night belonged to the Reds as they ran out comfortable winners and continue their climb up the table.