Darlington looking for a Bank Holiday special at Whitby
By Ray Simpson
The Quakers travel to the seaside on Bank Holiday Monday, as they face Whitby Town, looking for thei...
Darlington have won all of their seven fixtures so far in March and they look to make it eight from eight on Monday. On Saturday Darlington picked up their latest victory at home to Halesowen Town. Despite falling behind, goals from Terry Galbraith and Graeme Armstrong turned the game around, as Darlington won 2-1.
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Terry Galbraith celebrates his successful penalty[/caption]
Blyth Spartans also picked up a victory on Saturday 1-0 at Stamford thanks to a Danny Maguire goal. It means Blyth remain one point ahead of Darlington, having played two games more.
When Darlington and Whitby met at Heritage Park, goals from Stephen Thompson and Terry Galbraith weren't enough to earn Darlington victory, as former Quaker Dale Hopson earned a point for the visitors.
The sides have met recently in pre-season outings, including in July when Whitby came away 3-0 winners.
Whitby have spent most of the season in the relegation zone. However, they have improved since the turn of the year and now sit in 19th place, a point above the bottom four.
They haven’t conceded a goal in any of their last four games, winning two and drawing two. On Saturday they drew 0-0 with Salford City at Moor Lane. Despite their league position they have a decent home record at the Turnbull Ground having won eight of their league fixtures there this season.
Whitby's last six matches:
March 26th v Salford (away) drew 0-0
Team: Bland, Martin, McWilliams, Robinson, Poole, Weledji, Gell, McTiernan (sub Waters), Hopson, Hume, Roberts.
Subs not used: Howes, Bullock, Scarth, Dixon
March 22nd v Skelmersdale (away) drew 0-0
March 19th v Buxton (home) won 1-0 Roberts
March 12th Colwyn Bay (home) won 2-0 McTiernan, McWilliams
March 5th Barwell (away) lost 1-2 Poole
March 1st Ashton (home) lost 0-2
The Quakers side features many players who have arrived at the club from Whitby, notably Tom Portas, Graeme Armstrong and captain Kevin Burgess. Portas and Armstrong arrived in the summer of 2014 and were arguably the two best players of the side which gained promotion last season. Burgess made the switch last summer and was swiftly appointed the captaincy.
Whitby's danger man will be Michael Roberts, who has scored 19 goals for them this season. They will include former Darlington player Dale Hopson in their line up.
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Dale Hopson[/caption]
Elsewhere on Monday (and kicking off at 3pm), league leaders Blyth Spartans host playoff chasing Workington, so Quakers could briefly top the league if they win.
Kick off on Monday is 1:00pm at Whitby, updates on the game will be made from the club's Facebook, Twitter, Mobile App and Website. Live Commentary will be broadcast from Darlo Fans Radio at 12:50pm
