We’ve played Boston United on several occasions in the Football League in the recent past, but the older generation of Darlo fans will always remember the two games against Boston in the GM Vauxhall Conference in season 1989-90.

Here are extracts from the excellent book Darlo’s on the Up (still available in the club shop)

The first major test of the season was away to Boston, who were rated second favourites pre-season to win the Conference, and even though Darlington conceded their first goal of the season, they still comfortably won 3-1.

David Corner gave Darlington the lead from the penalty spot on 69 minutes after Mark Hine was fouled, then within a minute John Borthwick pounced on a mistake by the Boston keeper and scored the second. Chris Cook scored for Boston with seven minutes left, but Hine fired a third.

Four wins from the opening four games wasn’t bad at all, and Little said; “We are pleased to be top, it’s the best place to be, but we will keep reminding ourselves that we need to keep working hard to stay there. I don’t want to single anyone out for special praise, it was a good all-round performance.”

Nick Helliwell wrote in the Northern Echo; “Darlington’s love affair with the Vauxhall Conference is gaining momentum.”

The following midweek game, against Boston, saw one of Darlo’s most memorable goals scored by David Cork, the fifth in a magnificent 6-1 win over Boston. “Corky” scored four that night as Darlo turned on the style, and the Echo ran with the headline; “Corking night for Quakers.”

Cork opened the scoring on 38 minutes from a narrow angle, and just after half time Paul Emson slammed in a loose ball. Cork ran clear to score the third, then John Borthwick made it 4-0 from an Andy Toman pass.

Then came Corky’s unforgettable goal. Nick Helliwell wrote; “He wrong-footed Grant, cut inside Cook, bamboozled Buckley and sent his shot into the net from the narrowest of angles.” Within two minutes, he’d scored another from a Jim Willis cross, to make it an eight minute hat trick, and five for the team in fifteen minutes.

“For 30 minutes in the second half, Boston couldn’t get the ball past us,” said Brian Little. Quakers were two points clear of Barnet at the top.