Darlo 1-0 Cambridge
by Kevin Luff - 6th March 2011
Darlington made it three straight wins in a row and eight games without defeat yesterday as they dispatched Cambridge United. Quakers dominated for long spells in this encounter but the visitors proved difficult to breakdown. It appeared as if the struggling U's might just have done enough to take something from the game but Liam Hatch's 67th minute header proved decisive in settling this one.
Quakers started brightly but the visitors, who appear to be set for a nervy finish to the campaign, made it difficult for Darlington. It meant that despite working the ball well the hosts were unable to fashion too many clear cut chances during the opening period. Hatch bought a decent save from Cambridge and former Darlington keeper Simon Brow with a header after Paul Arnison's right wing cross. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson then shot over on twelve minutes as chances became something of a premium item.
Indeed it was the visitors who should have taken the lead during first half injury time. Goalkeeper Sam Russell was hardly tested during the opening period but when his punch fell kindly to Cambridge United's Adam Marriott he should have scored. The youngster had most of an empty net to aim for but instead he failed to find the target. Had he managed that his side would have entered the break in the lead.
The miss turned out to prove costly for the visitors. Darlington came out for the second half with renewed vigour and turned up the temperature on Cambridge. Defender Ian Miller saw a header go narrowly wide and Hatch also had another attempt. Bridge-Wilkinson's free-kick also tested Brown but it was starting to appear as if it might not be Darlington's day in front of goal. However on the hour mark that changed when Michael Smith was replaced by Chris Senior.
The forward made a big impact when he came off the bench during the FA Trophy victory last weekend and he did the same again here. A few minutes after coming on he nearly scored after getting on the end of Hatch's pass but instead was denied by the legs of Brown. The forward though was involved when Darlington finally got their noses deservedly in front. Aaron Brown's free-kick was headed across goal by youngster Dan Brown to Senior. But he was again denied by the Cambridge shot stopper but the ball broke for Hatch to head home.
It was a deserved goal and Darlington should have doubled their advantage shortly afterwards. Bridge-Wilkinson's free-kick from just outside the area hit the top of the crossbar. This was one of the few decisions that match referee Darren Bond managed to get right. His atrocious display meant that two moments for the away side which should have seen cards went totally unpunished. First there was Brian Saah who chopped down Arnison and then there was an elbow on Gary Smith from Kevin Roberts.
Fortunately though it did not mater as Darlington kept up their pressure on those teams currently occupying the play-offs places. Quakers are now up to eighth in the table and eight points behind the top five with games to play.
Darlington: Russell, Arnison, Miller, Burn, Brown, Chandler, Verma, Gary Smith, Bridge-Wilkinson, Hatch, Michael Smith (Senior 59). Subs Not Used: St Louis-Hamilton, Quinn, McReady, Wright.
Cambridge Utd: Brown, Roberts, Saah, Partridge, Jennings, Walker (Thorpe 66), Wellard, Berry, Ives (Patrick 87), Marriott (Jeffers 75), Wright. Subs Not Used: Naisbitt, McAuley.
Darlington bookings: Hatch, Senior, Brown.
Cambridge bookings: None.
Goals: Hatch 67th min (1-0).
Att: 2,080
Words by Kevin Luff.