Darlington 2 Kettering 2

We'd like to thank our match sponsors, CKJ Interiors

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/thanks-to-our-match-sponsors-ckj-interiors-1

And our matchball sponsors, Engage to Learn

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/thanks-to-our-matchball-sponsors-engage-to-learn-2

Attendance 1434

Goals: Hazel 8 mins, 1-0 27 mins, 2-0, Bennett 29 mins, 2-1, Cooper 42 mins, 2-2

Quakers went top of the table with a point against Kettering -- but they were disappointed not to take all three.

They were 2-0 up inside 27 minutes, but they let Kettering back into the game before half time with some poor defensive play.

In the second half, Quakers had plenty of possession and chances, but they couldn't make the vital breakthrough.

Here are the goals and Alun's post match interview

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/goals-and-reaction-to-draw-with-kettering

After a 30 minute delay because of floodlight failure, the match kicked off at 8.15. We'd like to thank the Darlington fans who helped to resolve the problem.

Quakers had a half chance after 5 minutes when Ben Liddle got round the back of the Kettering defence and pulled the ball back, just inches away from Jacob Hazel.

Quakers took the lead on 8 minutes when Ben Hedley headed the ball forward for Liddle to help on for Jacob Hazel, who hit a first time left foot shot across the keeper for his fifth goal of the season.

Quakers won a free kick on the corner of the box on 12 minutes for a foul by Frank Cooper, but Liddle’s cross was too high for Jake Lawlor at the far post.

Kettering won a corner at the other end on 15 minutes and nearly scored when George Cooper nodded the ball back for Lewis White to head over the top.

Quakers had a half chance when Jack Lambert played the ball in for Hazel to have another shot blocked.

It was 2-0 on 26 minutes, when Adriano Moke played a good ball up the right for Felix to latch on to, he ran into the box and squared for Hazel to tap in at the far post.

But Kettering pulled a goal back on 29 minutes when Sam Bennett pounced on some slack play, ran through and beat Tommy Taylor.

Quakers bounced back, and the keeper fumbled a deep cross from Hedley straight to the feet of Hazel, whose shot was blocked by the recovering keeper.

Kettering nearly levelled on 41 minutes when Ethan Hill threaded a good ball through for Bennett to go one-on-one against Taylor, who blocked at his feet.

But Kettering responded quickly, when Brad Gascoigne flicked the ball on for Cooper to slot past Taylor.

Quakers nearly went straight back in front when a poor clearance by Gregory went straight to Lambert, whose shot was blocked by the keeper.

Kettering threatened again a few minutes later, but Purver did well to get the ball away.

Quakers had an opportunity when Hazel nodded the ball on for Liddle, who switched the ball to his right foot and fired wide of the post.

Half time 2-2

Taylor rescued Quakers at the start of the second half when Bennett got away again, but the keeper saved his effort at full stretch.

Quakers responded when the Kettering defence cleared a left wing cross as far as Purver, who fired just over the top from 25 yards.

Kettering threatened again a few minutes later, but Purver did well to get the ball away.

Quakers had an opportunity when Hazel nodded the ball on for Liddle, who switched the ball to his right foot and fired wide of the post.

And they had another chance when Hedley made a good run up the left and set up Liddle, who put a first time shot just wide of the left hand post.

They were denied by a great save on 74 minutes when Dodds made a powerful run down the right and pulled the ball back for Lambert, whose right foot shot was tipped over the bar by Gregory.

Quakers went even closer when Hedley found Lambert inside the box on the left, and Lambert hit a left foot shot from an acute angle and went just past the far post.

Lambert then received a pass from Hedley, ran at the Kettering defence, but Gregory saved his effort.

Quakers went even closer when Hedley found Lambert inside the box on the left, and Lambert hit a left foot shot from an acute angle and went just past the far post.

In stoppage time, Felix got into the box, and hit a left foot shot that was cleared off the line.

Full time 2-2

Team: Taylor, Dodds, Sukar, Lawlor, Hedley, Moke (sub Rose 46), Purver, Liddle (sub Rivers 72), Lambert, Felix, Hazel

Subs: Mondal, Griffiths, Martin

Bookings: Sukar, Liddle, Purver

Kettering: Gregory, Morley, (sub Forsyth 46) White, Gascoigne, Stohrer, Ward, Sharpe, Cooper, Hill, Myles, Bennett. 

Subs: Toseland, Graham, Sheriff, Hogg

Booking: Cooper