Darlo won their first game of the season, convincingly away to title rivals Spennymoor Town, after a first half double from new signing Graeme Armstrong. A large travelling section will be happy with the result and performance from a Quakers side that have started the season in fantastic fashion.
Spenny v Darlo 14/15
After Saturday’s debacle, which ended in the game being abandoned against Warrington Town, Darlo had another tough fixture away to local side Spennymoor Town. However the away side came through the game with flying colours to get their first three points of the season.
Darlo lined up with the same starting eleven as Saturday, with a 4-4-3 formation, which saw Liam Hatch on the bench alongside new signing Adam Reed.
Both the goals came in the first half, with target man Armstrong showing why he scored 20+ goals for Whitby last season. The first came ten minutes in, with a smart volley from the edge of the box, after a cross from right back Gary Brown. The second also came from a cross, this time a Tez Galbraith free kick, which he flicked into the net with his head.
Spenny v Darlo 14/15
Darlo dominated the first half, but Spenny always looked dangerous on the break as they kicked down the considerable slope at the Brewery Field. The Quakers keeper, Pete Jameson, saved a 1v1 with the score at 1-0, which turned out to be the home side’s best chance of the game. Darlington’s other major scare of the half came when Jameson was carded for taking out an opposition striker just outside the box.
Just before the interval Leon Scott and Armstrong both missed chances from inside the box to extend the lead, but the side went into the break 2-0 up.
The game was more even in the second half, which coincided with the introduction of Spennymoor’s Gavin Cogdon who always looked dangerous when on the ball. Despite this though Jameson was rarely tested apart from a few long range efforts and a late shot which he needed to tip over the bar.
Armstrong latched onto a poor back pass and should have completed his hat-trick, but the Spenny keeper kept out the 1v1. Scott and substitutes Fisher and Reed both put shots wide, along with Dowson bringing out a good save from the Spenny keeper.
I am aware the report sounds very pro Darlo, however that was how the game went and even during Spennymoor’s better spells they failed to create many clear cut opportunities.
Martin Gray will be delighted with the performances at both ends of the pitch, like he will have been from Saturday’s 32 minutes. I hope he decides to now stick with White and Hunter at centre half, as both, particularly Whitey was at his best.
The midfield got through a lot of work, Scott tired in the second half, but this should be expected given this was his first 90 minutes since April. Portas seems like the player we missed last season, an all-round box to box midfielder.
Up front Armstrong could have scored four, but showed why we bought him and ultimately was the match winner.
The only concern from the game was Amar Purewal limping off, but hopefully he will be fit for the weekend.
We next travel to Burscough on Saturday with Thompson and Robinson both back available for selection following suspension. However Gray will be tempted to keep the same line up that has performed so well this week. If Purewal isn’t 100%, Thompson could easily slot in on the left of a front three.
Overall though a fantastic night for Darlington, which came against a Spennymoor side who will be up challenging for the promotion places come May.
After the false start on Saturday, we are officially up and running!
Darlo Team – Jameson, Brown, Hunter, White, Galbraith, Mitchell, Scott, Portas, Purewal, Dowson, Armstrong
Simon Hahn 