Darlington look to return to winning ways against Colwyn Bay.
By Ray Simpson
The Quakers are in action at Heritage Park this weekend against Welsh side Colwyn Bay. They will be...
The Quakers are in action at Heritage Park this weekend against Welsh side Colwyn Bay. They will be hoping to get over the disappointment of the 2-2 draw with Whitby Town on Tuesday night. Despite goals from Stephen Thompson and Terry Galbraith putting Darlington in front, ex-Quaker Dale Hopson scored an equaliser for the visitors.
Manager Martin Gray said; "The players lacked a little bit of sharpness and match fitness the other night, while some of our passing was nowhere the same quality as it was at Blyth in the last game we played.
"We scored two great goals, but I was more concerned about some of our defending. It’s all right talking about good goals, but as I’ve said several times before it’s how good you are in both boxes. Hopefully Tuesday’s game will help us regain our best form. "
The draw was Darlington’s first game of 2016 and they have a busy schedule over the next few months to complete their remaining games, with 24 league games to play in 13 playing weeks up to 23rd April.
MG said; " Your support, no matter what level of the club, is really important for us as we approach a hectic end to the season. We have got 24 league games to play over the next 14 weeks, and everyone is going to need a lift."
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Chris Hunter challenges for the ball against Whitby[/caption]
Colwyn Bay are currently third bottom in the league just three points above bottom of the table Ramsbottom United. They have won only one of their last ten league games, but their victory was an impressive one, 2-1 away to Workington. On Tuesday night they lost 4-1 at home to Skelmersdale United, new signing Connor Roberts-Nurse scoring the goal.
January 19th Skelmersdale (home) lost 1-4 Roberts-Nurse.
Colwyn Bay: Shaun Pearson, Shaun Dowling, Glenn Matthews, Carl Rodgers (Shaun Tuck 55mins), Will Bell, Antonie Boland, Bradley Bauress, Luke Denson, Joe Williams, Carl Lamb (Jordan Harper 55mins), Connor Roberts-Nurse. Subs not used: Gareth Rees and Jordan Fagbola.
January 2nd v Workington (away) won 2-1 Marsden, Denson
December 28th v Ashton United (home) lost 0-2
December 19th Matlock (home) lost 1-4 Marsden
December 15th Hyde United (away) drew 1-1, won 4-2 on penalties. Holsgrove
The Welsh side have a better record away from home than in Wales having picked up twelve points from eleven games on the road this season.
The two sides met in August when a double from makeshift striker Alan White helped the Quakers to a 4-2 victory.
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Alan White at Colwyn Bay[/caption]
Colwyn Bay 2 Darlington 4
Darlington won their first away game of the season, with makeshift striker Alan White scoring twice..
Quakers’ early pressure paid off on 22 minutes when Stephen Thompson crossed from the right and Kevin Burgess forced the ball home.
Another chance came Quakers’ way when Cartman helped the ball on for Thompson, who fired the ball straight at the keeper, Chris Sanna.
Quakers deservedly went 2-0 on 33 minutes before half time when Tom Portas won the ball in midfield, beat a couple of men in a good run into the Colwyn box, and crossed for White to head in at the far post.
It was 3-0 just on the half time whistle when Cartman created the space for Ian Watson to cross for White to head home again.
Colwyn made three substitutions at half time, and one of them, Valter Fernandez, pulled a goal back on 55 minutes with a cross that dropped over Peter Jameson and into the net.
They caused one or two anxious moments after that, but it was another sub, Darlington’s David Dowson, who made the game safe with a low shot.
Chris Sharp pulled a late goal back for Colwyn from a rebound off Jameson.
Darlington: Jameson, Gibbons, Burgess, Hunter, Watson, Thompson (sub Youhill), Portas, Turnbull, Bell (sub Scott), Cartman (sub Dowson), White.
Colwyn Bay: Sanna, Dowling (Fernandez 45mins), Lea (Corbett 45mins), Holsgrove, Denson, Fagbola, Booth, Rodgers (Love 45mins), Sharp, Hopley, Williams. Subs not used: Zikabaka, Baynes.
Attendance 386
Kick-off on Saturday at Heritage Park is 3pm.
Updates on the game will be made on Facebook, Twitter, the club’s app and the official website, with commentary on Darlo Fans Radio, and then highlights and interviews via the club's You Tube channel.
Plus, don't forget to vote for your Man of the Match after the game on the official website and have the chance to win a prize!
