Darlo avoid the Axe after 0-0 stalemate

Dull, lifeless and boring is the only way I can describe this game really. In a match that pitted together two teams fighting for promotion it was little wonder that some fans were anticipating a tough, but entertaining game between two good attacking sides.

Darlo were forced into a couple of late changes before the game, Peter Jameson making his debut for the club came in to replace the injured Mark Bell and Jordan Robinson replaced Pilatos at RB due to personal reasons. Another new signing, Nathan Thomas came in ahead of Jonny Davis who had been dropped to the bench, no doubt due to fatigue after Wednesdays FA trophy tie vs Buxton.

Both teams lined up as follows:

Lancaster: Hale, Wills, Elderton, Clark, Marshall, Mahoney, Winder, Hunter, Wearing, Jackson, Kilifin

Darlington: Jameson, J Robinson, Galbraith, White, Hunter, Edwards, Moore, Scott, Dowson, Thomas, Thompson

The match started as it meant to go on, lots of passing about in midfield, soft attacks that proved little threat and an extremely whistle friendly referee. The first real chance of the game fell to Lancaster in the 30th minute,  but even that gave Jameson in the Darlington net little to do, saving easily from a shot straight at him.

Other than that there was not much else worth mentioning really, both teams just couldn't produce that bright spark needed in the final third.

Into the second half and the match got a little bit more exciting, ever so slightly however. Just the same old passing moves happening from both teams but a few more chances were being created, Curtis Edwards had a shot blocked early on for Darlo and Lancaster had a shot that went just wide of the post.

The only real nervous moments of the game fell to Lancaster, Winder got down the right wing and brought out a good save from Jameson in the 64th minute. And just a minute later Jameson was forced into making another comfortable but good save, this after a cross was put into the back post from the left and found an unmarked player.

The second half proved to be another dull affair just like the 1st however, Darlo did have a chance in stoppage time, or at least they thought they did. Thompson outmuscled the Lancaster fullback and was clean through on goal, only for the linesman to pull it back for a soft free kick to Lancaster. Thankfully not long after that the full time whistle went.

Both teams got what they deserved really, a dull solitary point. Apologies if I've bored you with this but that pretty much sums up the game.

To be honest it's tough to pick a man of the match as well but if I had to give it to some one it would be Peter Jameson for Darlo. Made the only saves of the game in a confident debut performance.

Attendance: 594

Impressive performance from Andy Warrington frustrates Darlo

A man of the match performance from the experienced Andy Warrington, earned Buxton a replay against Darlo in a game that was packed full of attacking football, mainly from Darlo.

 

From the off Darlo started the much better, getting the ball down well, freely passing it about and it didn't take long for Darlo's first effort of the match. Steven Thompson jinxed past 2-3 Buxton defenders before unleashing a shot from just outside the box, that had to be tipped over the bar by Warrington in the Buxton net. That effort pretty much set the tone for the 1st half, with Buxton camped in their own half for much of the early stages and it was doing Darlo's corner count no harm! Corner after corner from Galbraith, were constantly causing Buxton's defence problems and the ball was forever having to be scrambled away from danger.

 

Buxton however did eventually manage to settle the game down and have a chance of their own, a cross was put in towards the back post but the effort was wasted and went out for a goal kick. Once again Darlo had another period in which they were on top, after some good work down the line by Dowson the striker managed to pull the ball back for Davis, who hit the ball with some force that would of stung the hands of Warrington, who made the save look easy. Warrington was dealing with chance after chance, a shot across the floor by Edwards was comfortably saved down low and from the resulting corner, the ball went all the way through before being cleared off the line, how darlo weren't already leading was a mystery! The last real chance of the half went to Buxton, only for Bell to brilliantly save down low at the post from a lee Morris header.

 

The first half was very much dominated by Darlo but just like Monday night, chances weren't being converted which was really frustrating.

Into the second half and both teams were getting in some early chances, nothing that caused either keeper real danger up until the 57th minute. A crossed whipped in from the right by Leon Osborne found an unmarked Lee Morris at the back post who, with the goal at his mercy, somehow managed to fire his header over the bar, a massive let off for Darlo!

 

Just 3 minutes later though, Steven Thompson punished Morris's miss with a wonderful solo effort, turning in from the right, Thompson took the ball past 2 defenders before hitting a ferocious shot with his left foot that found the top corner. It was nothing more than what Darlo deserved after dominating long periods of the game, shortly after the restart though, Buxton ceased control of the game.

 

On 64 minutes Bruno Pilatos misjudged a cross and the on rushing Buxton forward toe poked the ball towards home but for a last ditch clearance off the line from Alan white. And just a minute later Darlo were yet again let off the hook, a goal bound shot from Lee Morris, after a corner was swing in from the right, was well blocked by Leon Scott at the back post. Darlo then went straight up the pitch and a powerful effort from Dowson was well saved by Warrington with his legs, but just a minute later Buxton went on the counter and a deflected cross from Buxton full back Grant Black, found Matt Thornhill in the box who bulleted a header past a stranded Mark Bell, into the top corner of the goal.

 

With both teams going for it the match had quickly turned into a game of end to end football, brilliant to watch for a neutral but nerve racking for both sets of supporters. 

 

Thompson was really making Warrington work for his wages this afternoon, the winger got in a couple of decent efforts towards the end, one brought a good save round the post from Warrington and the other, a free kick that just went wide of the goal.

 

Then came the most brutal moment of the game! Thompson took on the defender, got into the penalty box before eventually being brought down under a clumsy challenge, PENALTY TO DARLO IN THE 92ND MINUTE! Up stepped Thompson against Warrington, who remember has had a cracking game so far and what do you think happened? Thompson went to place the ball but Warrington parried the ball away into the path of an on rushing David Dowson, and guess what? Warrington saved the rebound! That turned out to be the last chance of a match that Darlo probably should of won, but for the heroics of Warrington in the Buxton net.

Buxton starting line up: Warrington, Black, Green, Istead, Palmer, Ryan, Thornhill, Stevens (Lugsden 56), Morris, Osborne (Broadhead 90), King

Darlington starting line up: Bell, Pilatos, Scott, White, Hunter, Davis, Edwards,Thompson, Galbraith (J Robinson 64), Dowson, Johnson

Man of the match for me has to be Andy Warrington, single handedly kept Darlo at bay for the full 90 minutes.

 

Attendance: 443

 

The replay will be played this Wednesday night at Heritage Park.

A Great Advert for Non-League Football – Blyth v Ilkeston Evo-Stick Premier

 

First of all before writing this entry, I’d like to just take a moment to offer my condolences to the family of former Blyth Spartans AFC striker Scott Bell, who unfortunately lost his 2 year battle with Motor Neurone Disease last week, at the age of just 35yrs old. The much loved former Blyth frontman had made 125 appearances for the Spartans and had netted 50 times in a stint that spanned 3 years, which included a league and cup treble. In the words of all involved with Blyth Spartans “Rest in peace Bellveccio.”

 

Being a fond lover of non-league football, I’m always on the lookout for an exciting local game that’ll deliver that fix of good football we all crave, so when the opportunity arose to attend Blyth Spartans v Ilkeston in the EvoStick- Premier, once again, there was only ever going to be one answer! Setting off on the 51 mile trip straight up the A1 just after quarter past 5, me and my fellow companion were both looking forward to what on paper, looked an extremely attractive match-up.

Arriving in Blyth about 18:45 the first thoughts that immediately entered my head, was to be honest, grim! Although darkness had already set in, Blyth really gave us both that feeling of being in Boro, not surprising really with Blyth being a harbour town. Unfortunately for us, my little friend here didn’t 100% know where Croft Park was (home of Blyth Spartans) so how do you go about looking for a non-league ground in the middle of an unknown territory? Scan the skyline for floodlights of course! Then vuala! As if by magic we were there.

 

Parking in a street just outside the ground, from first appearances Croft Park looked like a ground packed  full of character and it didn’t disappoint. First things first though, straight to the bar! The club bar at Blyth or shall I say function room, is an extremely spacious, warm, cosy and inviting area. Club bars and social areas at non-league clubs are another massive reason why I have a passion for these leagues, no matter where you go you’re always welcomed into a friendly, family atmosphere and you get that sense of belonging, even as a neutral! Paying an acceptable £10 (which is pretty average for this league) into Croft Park you’re immediately greeted by a sort of mingling area for fans, you have you’re toilets on one side and the Burger van on the other, three guesses where I headed straight away! £3.20 for a decent Cheeseburger and a can of coke was more than satisfying.

Croft park is built up of 4 stands, one large seated stand by the side of the pitch where the dug outs are situated and immediately opposite you have a fairly large covered terrace, which you could probably get a good 400-500 squeezed in to. Behind both goals you have covered terraces covering the full length of the goal line. All in all Croft Park can accommodate around about 4435 (556 seated) spectators.

 

Both teams lined up as follows:

Blyth - Misiweicz, Airey, Purewal, Buddle, Watson, Mullen, Horner, Hubbard, Wearmouth, Davis, Maguire

Ilkeston - Allinson, Baker, Webster, Gordon, Maguire, Storey, Reid, Wilson, Ricketts, Richards, Stokes

Onto the Match!

Before kick off a minutes applause was observed by all in Croft Park in respect of the late Scott Bell.

From the off there was some really good, attractive attacking play on show and it didn’t take long for the first chance of the game to materialise, a shot from Ilkeston’s Kane Richards from just 10 yards out went wide of Blyth’s near post and it didn’t take long for Blyth to punish that miss. Just a few minutes later Aaron Wearmouth burst into the Ilkeston penalty box and was hacked down by Matt Baker, penalty to Blyth in which in form Craig Hubbard duly dispatched into the back of the net. With Blyth 1-0 up Ilkeston immediately went on the lookout for an equaliser and they nearly got it straight away, with a good chance that just couldn’t find the net. However Ilkeston were soon rewarded with one of the best goals I have ever seen! From absolutely nothing, Ilkeston’s Laurie Wilson spotted Blyth’s Michal Misiewicz off his line and he took his chance, from just on the halfway line Wilson unleashed a powerful but speculative shot that had Misiewicz scrambling to get back on his line, but he had no chance and to the delight of the few travelling Ilkeston fans, the effort flew in to the top corner of the goal. Blyth kicked the game back off but in a half full of attacking play, the only one realistic chance before half time fell to Ilkeston’s Jason Stokes who’s chip over an advancing Misiewicz landed harmlessly on top of the net.

 

Into the 2^nd half and immediately Blyth went 2-1 up. A pacey cross into the box by Aaron Wearmouth, who so far for me had looked impressive with his workrate, was met by Danny Maguire who with the flick of his boot, left Allinson in the Ilkeston goal clawing at thin air. And just minutes later Blyth nearly went 3-1 once again through Danny Maguire, his header after a mistake by Allinson was met with a last ditch clearance off the line by Baker. However Danny Maguire did eventually get his second of the night after a cross by Ash Davis found an unmarked Maguire in the 6yrd box with a simple tap in past a stranded Allinson, whose defence had literally gone missing. With the game seemingly all but over, it appeared that Blyth sat back a little which allowed Ilkeston to go in search of a goal that would get them back in the game and it was Blyth’s own lack of concentration that allowed Kane Richards to stroll into the box, only for a clumsy challenge from Lewis Horner gave Ilkeston that lifeline back in to the game from the penalty spot. Aaron Webster stepped up and converted the chance that gave Ilkeston an opportunity to take home at least a point from the game with 15mins still to go. After that though Ilkeston really only created one decent effort on goal which was wasted by James Reid who from only 8yrds out, fired over from a cross by Richards. Blyth held on for the last 15mins to earn a hard fought 3 points.

 

Man of the match for me had to be Aaron Wearmouth. The lanky winger who I’d previously seen play in the colours of Bishop Auckland, had seriously impressed me in the 70mins he did have on the pitch.

Just a quick look into the bar to check up on the latest England score before we set off back home, more than satisfied with what we had seen. Blyth played a lot better than what I had expected and left me in no doubt that this season, could be the season that they make their return to the Skrill North.

Attendance on the night was 311.



Darlo Comfortably put Ossett to the sword on a day that spelt the end for Hinckley Utd

 

Rewind the clock back to the 7^th January 2012, Barrow away, a day that all Darlo fans will never want to take part in again. On what was expected to be our last ever game as a club, nearly 1000 Darlo fans made the short trip to Barrow and watched us go down 3-0 on a highly emotional afternoon for all involved. That feeling of ‘What if?’ is the worst feeling I have ever had the misfortune of having, not knowing whether this really was the end of the club I have and always will love. Now come back to the present day, Saturday 5^th October will now be forever known as the day that Hinckley Utd FC ceased to exist. As a Darlo fan, I can fully understand what was going through the heads of those diehard fans that made the trip down to Chesham knowing that today, was going to be the last ever time they would see their club play. Coincidentally just as we did, Hinckley were beaten 3-0, a result that at the end of the day wouldn’t have mattered to the Hinckley faithful. On behalf of everyone associated with Darlington 1883 I express my deepest sympathies to all involved with Hinckley Utd, you can and you will return, believe!

 

Now back to discussing todays game!

Finally, after a long and highly successful year Darlo returned to a recognised FA competition and what better competition could it be other than the FA Trophy, a trophy that just 2 years ago, Darlo lifted under the Wembley Arch in front of 10,000+ jubilant Darlo fans. The draw had pitted us against fellow Evo Stick North side Ossett Town away from home, who’s neighbours Ossett Albion had just been but to the sword in midweek after a humiliating 7-0 loss to us at HP. Without sounding arrogant it was very much a relatively easy tie for us and even better was that Ossett was only a simple 72mile trip straight down the A1(M). So just after 12pm we departed from Darlo and headed towards Ossett. Knackered and alone on the supporters coach after I’d been bailed on, I really could not be bothered with the game in all honesty but the fact that it was a match marking our return to the FA Trophy, it did excite me just a tad.

 

Arriving outside Ossetts Ingfield ground about 1:30pm, we were greeted by, well not much really other than a Bus Station. So with nowt else to do there was only one direction I was heading, straight to the ground! Admission into Ingfield was only £7, in these leagues turning up to a turnstile doesn’t immediately give you that horrible burning sensation in your wallet, another plus is that the programme I purchased on the turnstile was a bargain at only £2, was a pretty good read aswell! Now onto the ground itself, a relatively basic Non-league ground really, areas of covered and uncovered terracing on either side of the pitch, hard standing behind one goal and a pretty smart looking seated stand behind the other which looked as if it could hold about 300. As a whole Ingfield can hold approximately 1950 spectators. Hospitality at Ingfield was fairly decent as well, although in my opinion the grub was absolutely awful.  I spent £2 on chips that were soggy and not even cooked properly! The club bar or Social Club as it was called, was fairly well sized with the usual TV screens showing that stupid Premier League rubbish, also fairly priced drinks having only paid £2.70 for a pint of wrongbow.

 

 

 

 

 

Both teams lined up as follows:

Ossett Town: Taylor, McGrory, Jeff, Patterson, Fisher, Qualter, Fox, Sharry, Wood, Eyles, Moke

Darlington 1883: Bell, Pilatos, Galbraith, Hunter, White, Edwards, Moore, Scott, Purewal, Dowson, Thompson

Darlo were unchanged after the midweek demolition of Ossett Albion in the league.

Onto the Match!

What can I say other than pure domination in the first half, it took Darlo just 5 minutes to get going at Ingfield through David Dowson, the striker jumping at the opportunity in the 6yrd box to just tap the ball home after a Steven Thompson effort had been blocked and just 9 minutes later Darlo had doubled their lead. A corner floated in from the right by Terry Galbraith was headed into the back of the net by Alan White, Darlo were really getting at Ossett, freely passing the ball about and causing havoc for Ossetts fullbacks all half, through Thompson and Moore. Darlos dominance of the match was yet again rewarded in the 28^th minute, Chris Moore was set up by Steven Thompson and the midfielder fired home to put Darlo 3-0 up before half an hour had even been played. All of Ossetts efforts to get at Darlos goal in the 1^st half were proving futile apart from one chance they did have before Darlo went 3-0 up, a neat pass was played through for Andrew Fox to unleash a powerful shot at Mark Bell who had to tip the ball over the bar for a corner, other than that Mark Bell had little to deal with….well apart from a group of mouthy Joey Essex lookalikes who had congregated behind his goal. Darlo once again went on the attack and scored another 2 in quick succession, firstly in the 44^th minute after David Dowson hard work had gifted Amar Purewal with an easy finish which he took, then just 1 minute later Chris Moore curled the ball home from the edge of the box. Yet again Darlo were going into halftime against an Ossett side with a 5-0 lead.

 

 

The 2^nd half was a quieter affair, with Darlo already leading 5-0 they had every right to relax knowing that their passage into the next round was all but secured. Ossett were being allowed back into the game and it did pay off, getting in some really dangerous attacks before eventually being rewarded with just the one goal, James Eyles tapping home after a cross was whipped in from the left by Steven Jeff. Ossett continued to attack and very nearly got a second through Henry Sibenge but he just couldn’t quite meet the cross that had been put in by James Eyles. In a half with very few chances Darlo eventually got their sixth in the 93^rd minute , a Jordan Robinson cross towards the far post was volleyed across goal by Paul Robinson and the ball nestled in the bottom corner of Taylors goal, the keeper had probably wished he’d never turned up after the final whistle soon after.

Man of the match for me was Curtis Edwards, solid in midfield along with Leon Scott and yet again he showed off his attacking and defensive talents, in my opinion he’s the perfect box to box midfielder that Darlo had been missing early on in the season.

So there we have it, Darlo marching into the next round with an easy 6-1 win! Up next for Darlo in the cup is a tricky trip to Buxton Town FC of the Evo-Stick Premier 2 weeks today. In the league Darlo have Prescot Cables at home next Saturday.