Rundle and Reach fire Darlo to victory
by Chris Mackenzie - 17th December 2011
Goals from Adam Rundle and Adam Reach saw Quakers get back to winning ways after 4 games without a victory. Caretaker boss Craig Liddle kept faith with his 4-4-1-1 formation, Paul Arinson, Jamie Chandler and Liam Hatch all came back into the side after missing last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at Grimsby Town.
Chandler lined up alongside Marc Bridge-Wilkinson in the middle of the park after missing the F.A Trophy tie due to injury. Liddle chose to retain Adam Reach and Adam Rundle as his side’s two wide men so John McReady who has played in both central midfield and on the wing in recent games was left on the bench.
With Arnison, Chandler and Hatch all available Craig Liddle had a much bigger squad to select from for this weekend’s game which gave the caretaker boss many more options for his match day squad. Young keeper Jordan Nixon provided cover for Sam Russell on the bench while Chris Atkinson, Kris Taylor, John McReady and James Gray were all also named as possible replacements.
Darlo X1
Russell
Arnison Miller Lee Brown
Rundle Bridge-Wilkinson Chandler Reach
Hopson
Hatch
Subs
Nixon, Taylor, Atkinson, McReady, Gray
Both sides played some nice football in the opening minutes of the contest the visitors had the first opportunity of the game when United were able to launch an swift attack down the left hand side of the pitch taking advantage of Paul Arnison being out of position, fortunately for Quakers Cambridge couldn’t make the most of the opening.
Shortly afterwards Adam Rundle almost broke the deadlock when he drifted in from the right wing and launched a powerful left footed strike towards the Cambridge goal. Visiting custodian Danny Naisbitt had to be at his best to turn the stinging effort away.
Quakers continued to trouble the U’s defence and Middlesbrough loanee Adam Reach went close with a shot on the turn after around 15 minutes of play. Cambridge were still creating opportunities though in what was an attractive open game of football and Jez George’s side were unlucky when no United player could get on the end of a teasing cross that was fired across the Darlington area.
Darlo took the lead with 37 minutes gone when Adam Rundle found the back of the net from outside of the area after some neat build up play between himself and right back Paul Arnison. Rundle was once again in the thick of the action as half time approached when he delivered a pin point cross into the area however Liam Hatch’s header was straight at Cambridge keeper Danny Naisbitt.
Neither side made any tactical or personnel alterations at the break. Quakers continued to look dangerous going forward with both Liam Hatch and Adam Reach troubling the visitors defence early in the 2nd half. Teenage attacking midfielder Dale Hopson who had had a quiet first half was getting more involved in the final third of the field as the game progressed.
Cambridge almost levelled the game after around 70 minutes of play when winger Harrison Dunk hit the post from just inside the Darlo penalty area. That scare did not halt the home side though as Quaker went into a 2-0 lead moments after when an Adam Rundle cross eluded the U’s defence and Adam Reach stole in at the back post to head past a stranded Naisbitt.
United were unable to create many genuine goal scoring opening’s as the visitors looked for a way back into the game. Cambridge were able to force a number of corners late in the game however Darlos defence were able to deal with everything the U’s attack had to offer.
Darlo could have increased their lead further as injury time approached when both Dale Hopson and sub James Gray had decent chances however neither player could get their effort on target. However Quakers will be more than happy with a relatively comfortable 2-0 home victory over play off hopefuls Cambridge United.
Player Ratings
Sam Russell 7 – well deserved clean sheet for the Darlo custodian
Paul Arnison 7 – was caught out defensively at times did well going forward
Aaron Brown 6 – does not look fully fit but did little wrong
Ian Miller 7 – marshalled his defence well
Graham Lee 7 – much more at home at the back
Adam Rundle 8 – superb goal and great all round game probably his best since returning to the club last summer
Adam Reach 7 – grabbed his first goal for the club in an encouraging display
Jamie Chandler 7 – controlled the middle of the park
Marc Bridge-Wilkinson 7 – some neat touch’s
Dale Hopson 6 – in and out of the game though the youngster has played a lot of football lately
Liam Hatch 7 – lucky to escape the game without a booking, commited showing though
Subs
James Gray – late sub for Rundle
John McReady – replaced Hatch in the dying moments of the game
Man of the Match – Has to be Adam Rundle as the former Rochdale winger gave a very energetic display which was capped off by a great first half strike.
Chris Mackenzie