Monthly Report - January

The New Year began with a trip to play-off contenders Fleetwood, but Darlo could only muster the kind of exasperatingly dire performance that had left fans fuming many times already this season. Quakers may as well not have turned up in the first half so bad was their display, and they were deservedly behind at the interval courtesy of a Gareth Seddon tap in. A switch to 4-4-2 at the break did bring about a modicum of an improvement, but in truth Darlington looked about as likely to score as Anne Widdicombe, and the home side prevailed by a single goal.

Things badly needed to change otherwise Quakers play-off hopes would rapidly evaporate. In came the diamond formation, whilst Jamie Chandler, Michael Smith and Curtis Main were all restored the starting XI for the visit of Barrow. And Mark Cooper’s radical changes paid dividends, as a sublime Darlington, equipped with the kind of movement and passing that could grace higher leagues, dominated and destroyed the Cumbrians. Michael Smith thumped in a long range effort, only to be usurped by a belter from loanee Marc Bridge-Wilkinson. The visitors did manage to pull one back, but as soon as player coach David Sheridan was sent off, Darlington were never likely to be troubled. Aaron Brown’s strike, a third goal from outside the area, extinguished any hopes of a Barrow comeback as Quakers wrapped up a superb 3 points.

Next to visit the Arena were league leaders AFC Wimbledon. Darlington handed a debut to new defender Adam Quinn, who had joined from Crawley. Soon labelled the Beast, Quinn and the rest of Quakers defence were largely untroubled by an abysmal Wimbledon side who struggled to get to grips with the solid playing surface. Danny Kedwell forced a fine save from Darlo keeper Sam Russell, but that was as close as the leaders came. Instead, Darlo could and probably should have taken all 3 points. Curtis Main missed a host of sitters whilst Aman Verma should have done better with a chance late on. As it was Quakers had to settle for a goalless draw, yet will have been disappointed not to have wrapped up the victory.

The third of 4 straight home games came against strugglers Histon, who brought  a grand total of 6 fans to the game, hardly swelling the paltry gates Darlington have been getting so far this season. And for their reward for making the 350 mile round trip was a torrid and drab match, devoid of quality or excitement. Verma broke the deadlock for Quakers 3 minutes before the break. After that, Darlington did start to settle, grabbing a second from Paul Arnison’s magnificent lob. Antonio Murray kept Darlington fans on edge, halving the arrears with a well worked goal from a neat and tidy move. But once again, a player coach was sent off, David Livermore receiving his marching orders for a 2nd yellow card, and Darlington profited, Liam Hatch side-footing home Brown’s cross for a hard worked but needed victory.

Quakers took a break from league action the following Saturday as they entertained Bath City in Round 2 of the FA Trophy. The 1st half was almost a carbon copy of the Histon match, a turgid affair with notable chances a rarity. It was injury time before Darlo got their noses in front, Paul Arnison’s strike pacifying restless Quakers supporters. 2 minutes after the break, Liam Hatch doubled Quakers advantage volleying home at the second attempt. Slack defending allowed Bath’s Adam Connolly to pull one back, dancing through the defence and rekindling painful memories of Quakers collapse at Bath back in September. But Darlington showed a new found resilience, sealing an emphatic triumph with further goals from Verma and a second of the afternoon from Hatch. Silverware and a Wembley trip were still possible.

If familiarity does indeed breed contempt, then Darlington will have been relieved to get a game away from the Arena. Mark Cooper returned to former club Tamworth looking to build on a run of 4 games unbeaten. And a valuable 3 points seemed within Darlington’s grasp after Liam Hatch had headed Darlo in front midway through the second half. Alas, Quakers fragility on the road came back to haunt them. First Tommy Wright was dubiously sent off for elbowing a Tamworth player, then Michael Wylde’s mishit volley from a cross looped into the back of the net, sending the home fans into raptures and Quakers into despair. Once more, they had dropped points in stoppage time.

Redemption and recovery were what was needed 3 days later at home to fellow play-off hopefuls Mansfield. But not for the first time this season, Darlington fans were treated to an abject, lifeless and tame offering from their side, rarely threatening Mansfield, led by former Quaker’s captain Steve Foster. In fact, the away side were unlucky not steal victory, twice having goals ruled out for offside. In the end, it was maybe a relief to see Darlington escape with a scoreless draw.

The following game against Kettering was postponed due to a frozen pitch, maybe a tad fortunate as injuries were starting to build up. That brought to an end a reasonably successful month, just one defeat. But Quakers position could have been so much better had they held on against Tamworth and put in a better display against Mansfield. The arrivals at the Arena have excited the fans, Liam Hatch and Marc Bridge Wilkinson have made their loan deals permanent, whilst utility man Greg Taylor has joined from Kettering, in addition to the arrival of Quinn. Nathan Modest joined on loan before the Bath game, although he has so far yet to impress, whilst prolific non league marksman John Campbell could well prove to be an astute signing by Mark Cooper. Aman Verma has also extended his loan until the season’s conclusion and the gloriously named Danzelle St Louis Hamilton provides goal keeping back up for Sam Russell.

January has not proved to be the make or break month many predicted; Darlington end the month as they started, yet to hit top form and firmly in mid table, although February didn’t get off to the greatest start, a 4-0 mauling at promotion chasing Luton. Consistency needs to return and performances must improve if Quakers chances of reaching the play-offs are to be a realistic probability, rather than a hopeful aspiration.

By Chris Sykes