National
League North - 17 April 2017
The bank holiday mood may be subdued at Blackwell
Meadows as Darlington’s position in a tight play-off grouping is likely to be
irrelevant – an unnoticed change in the ground requirements for promotion to
the National League has ruled them out of contention (subject to appeal).
Opponents today, FC United of Manchester are also out of contention, not due to
their new ground which is reputed to be top notch but their mid-table obscurity
or safety (depending on your viewpoint). So this could be a meaningless end of
season encounter or a relaxed and entertaining game between two sides free to
express themselves with only the match at stake.
The visitors are a well-supported side and
the away following combined with decent weather has boosted the attendance, nay
crowd, to over two thousand. A welcome boost also to the coffers, but it also demonstrates
the shortcomings of the ground with the lack of terracing on three sides making
viewing difficult for those not hugging the perimeter rail.
Darlington’s start does not indicate a
relaxation in their attitude. Thompson has a shot saved early and on his next
possession he cuts inside and squares to left back Ferguson who hits a
thirty-five yard screamer into the top corner. Ten minutes later Ferguson,
relentlessly probing down the left, crosses deep. Syers rises to head the ball
back across the six yard box, where the towering Beck is on hand to nod the
ball home.
Two down after fifteen minutes FC have yet
to show they can compete, until a clever chip through gives Glynn a chance that
is rapidly snuffed out by keeper Bartlett. Such cause for encouragement is
short lived as up the other end a ball runs loose in the penalty area and
centre forward Beck snakes out a long leg to push it past defender Williams; he
reacts late and his trip results in a penalty award. Galbraith takes
responsibility and his firm shot low into the corner renders irrelevant Schofield’s
correct guess as to its direction of travel.
Game over after half an hour? It looks
likely as another Darlington move slices through, but FC defenders block just
in time. However Ferguson bombs forward once too often and FC exploit the space
behind him to draw a defender out of the centre and create an overlap in front
of goal. Brown can’t miss and he doesn’t.
The goal has checked rampant Darlington and play
evens out up to the half time break. And into the second half it is the same
story, only a glaring miss from Brown keeps Darlo two ahead. Soon after, Brown
is replaced by Adeloye who makes an immediate impact with a shot that requires
an alert Bartlett to tip it over the bar.
An FC goal now would make the final quarter
hour interesting. Darlington are threatening less and less, however they do win
a free kick for which the big defenders go forward. The ball in falls loose in
the box and Darlington full back Brown plays a neat one two with a colleague
before slotting home from close in.
Four one restores the home team’s comfort
zone, but FC are still pressing. Ashworth, up for a corner, heads over;
substitute Thomson has a shot well saved; and more or less on full time Adeloye
finds space to execute a well-placed header beyond Bartlett and into the goal. Three
minutes of added time are not enough for the late goal to make much difference
and the match ends in a four two home win.
The open entertaining game option did thankfully
emerge. Darlington seem to be increasingly comfortable with their new home,
which bodes well for next season when they should remain a top club pushing for
promotion, with hopefully an improved ground to match.
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