Darlington 1 Leamington 1

Scorer: Dos Santos (18 mins 1-0), Turner (29 mins, 1-1)

Attendance 1,404

Quakers were held to a 1-1 draw by visitors Leamington at Blackwell Meadows.

Quakers couldn't create enough chances in the econd half against a team that made itself difficult to break down by putting ten men behind the ball for most of the second half.

They dominated the first 25 minutes and took a deserved lead, but Leamington equalised on the half hour mark. The visitors had their keeper, Jake Weaver, to thank for an outstanding save in the second half.

Quakers went close in the third minute. Jarrett Rivers flicked the ball on in midfield for Will Hatfield to float the ball to the far post, where Luke Charman volleyed just over the top.

They went close again a minute later, when Hatfield found Kevin Dos Santos, and he wrongfooted two defenders before hitting a right foot shot that Weaver pushed around the post.

More Darlington pressure led to the ball reaching Cassidy with his back to goal six yards out, and his back header went wide.

Quakers took the lead on 18 minutes. Rivers picked the ball up on the right and whipped in a dangerous cross that Cassidy couldn’t quite reach, but instead Dos Santos quickly controlled the ball and fired across the keeper into the top corner of the net.

Dos Santos went looking for a second, and he played a 1-2 with Charman before hitting a right foot shot straight at Weaver.

But Leamington levelled on 29 minutes, when Kyle Morrison chipped the ball forward for Dan Turner to chest down, run into the box, and sidefoot past Taylor with the Quakers defence appealling for offside.

Leamington had a penalty appeal turned down on 39 minutes when Turner went down following a challenge by Alex Storey, but the referee waved play on.

Quakers nearly scored before half time when Charman made a good run forward and set up Hatfield, who fired over from the edge of the box.

Half time 1-1

Thanks to our match sponsor, Education Mutual

https://www.educationmutual.co.uk/

and our matchball sponsor, Stephen Bruce, who is celebrating his 70th birthday.

Taylor needed treatment at the start of the second half after he punched away a corner, but he was able to continue.

It was nearly 2-1 on 53 minutes when Hatfield’s header in the area dropped for Cassidy, who struck a half volley towards goal that Weaver did well to save down to his right.

Charman tried an ambitious effort from 40 yards on 58 minutes that went over the top.

Quakers had a good spell of possession which ended with Hedley crossing from the left for Dos Santos to volley from an acute angle into the side netting.

Cassidy then played the ball infield for Hatfield, who charged into the box despite three defenders, but he couldn’t get enough power behind his shot.

Sub Jack Lambert showed some good skill to slip away from two men on 81 minutes and play the ball inside for Hatfield to try his luck from 30 yards, but the ball went wide of the post.

A minute later Hedley found space 25 yards out, but fired over.

Leamington had a great chance when a free kick was nodded across the penalty area for Turner to volley over.

And in stoppage time Junior English got clean through, but Taylor saved at his feet

Final score Darlington 1 Leamington 1

Team: Taylor, Griffiths, Storey, Cooper, Hedley, Wheatley, Hatfield, Rivers, Charman, Cassidy, Dos Santos (sub Lambert 67).

Subs: Mondal, Purver, Nelson, Rose.

Bookings: Rivers, Griffiths

Weaver, Martin, Meredith, Clarke, Morrison, Lane, Parker (sub English 86), Willis (sub Gittings 67), Turner, Edwards, Cook (sub Anderson 75)

Subs: Kelly-Evans, Allen

Bookings; Martin, Edwards