Spennymoor 1 Darlington 1

Charman 13 mins, 0-1, Glen Taylor 45 1-1

The first local derby of the Bank Holiday saw Quakers draw 1-1 at the Brewery Field.

Quakers led with an early goal by Luke Charman, but Moors hit back with a penalty just before half time. Quakers had more chances than Moors, with Charman denied twice by good saves from Dale Eve, the Spennymoor keeper.

However, the main talking points of the game were Charman's dismissal near the end after tangling with James Curtis of Spennymoor, and Stephen Thompson -- once of Darlington of course -- who was red-carded for a foul on Kallum Griffiths.

Neither defence was really troubled in the opening minutes, Quakers had a free kick on the left that Jack Lambert curled in, but Dale Eve comfortably held on to it.

At the other end, a loose ball out of the Darlington defence was picked up by Wayne Hall on the right, but his pass went straight to Tommy Taylor.

Quakers had the first real chance on 13 minutes, when Jarrett Rivers crossed from the right, and Luke Charman’s shot was deflected for a corner.

Quakers took the lead from the setpiece. The ball was curled in by Rivers for Charman to head past Eve, for his 11^th goal of the season, from a few yards out.

Quakers thought they should have had a penalty when Lambert’s cross was blocked by a defender, with Quakers claiming handball.

Kevin Dos Santos then showed great skill to dribble past three men on the left side of the box, but his low cross avoided all his team mates.

There was a pause in play in the 23rd minute to pay tribute to Osagi Bascome, who was sadly taken from us last week. Applause broke out all round the ground, with a picture of Osagi shown in tribute on the Spennymoor scoreboard.

Charman nearly made it 2-0 on 28 minutes. He picked the ball up on the left corner of the penalty area, and curled a low right foot shot just past the far post.

Moors had their first real attempt at goal on 32 minutes. Jake Lawlor was penalised 30 yards out, and Glen Taylor fired the free kick narrowly over the top.

Moors were awarded another free kick on the edge of the box on 43 minutes when Taylor was tripped by Alex Purver, but Taylor’s free kick hit one of his own players and went out for a goal kick.

At the other end, Kevin Dos Santos received a pass from George Smith and fired straight at Eve.
Moors were awarded a penalty just on half time when Glen Taylor was tripped by Danny Ellis, and he beat Tommy Taylor from the spot.

But Moors were reduced to ten men when Stephen Thompson was shown a straight red for a challenge on Griffiths.

Half time 

Spennymoor Town 1 Darlington 1

At the start of the second half , Glen Taylor then had a great chance when he picked up a headed clearance by Scott McLean, but he pulled his shot wide.
Quakers almost regained the lead on the hour, when Charman won the ball on the halfway line, ran to the edge of the box and struck a low shot that Eve pushed around the post.
There was another chance on 64 minutes when Danny Rose whipped in a right wing corner that went across the face of goal with no-one able to get a touch.
Dos Santos then picked up the ball on the left, turned, and curled a right foot shot just wide.
Lambert then produced some superb skill when he beat a man on the left and chipped towards the top corner, and Eve just managed to tip the ball over the bar.

Quakers then had a good spell of pressure which ended with Rivers firing straight at Eve from the edge of the box.
However Quakers were reduced to ten men on 85 minutes when Charman was red carded for tangling with one of the Spennymoor players, although what exactly happened wasn't immediately clear.

Final score:

Spennymoor Town 1 Darlington 1

Darlington:
Taylor, Griffiths, Ellis, Lawlor, Smith; Purver, Rose; Rivers, Lambert (sub Mondal 90+3), Dos Santos, Charman
Subs: Beeden, Storey, Hedley, Martin
Booking: Lawlor, Smith
Red: Charman

Spennymoor:
Eve, Richardson, McLean, Tait, Curtis, Thompson, Moke (sub Spokes 83), Taylor (sub Mulhern 90+2, Ramshaw, Hall (sub Lufudu 46), Chandler
Subs: Flatters, Mason

Red: Thompson

Attendance 2,404