Darlington 2-1 Mickleover Sports

First half goals from Nathan Cartman and Adam Mitchell were enough to see the Quakers beat Mickleover Sports at Heritage Park.

Cartman opened the scoring after 11 minutes with Mitchell’s long range drive doubling the lead just six minutes later.

The visitors pulled a goal back in the first half through Simeon Oshoboke, but Darlington were able to hold on for the three points.

Martin Gray made no changes to his starting eleven from Tuesday’s win against Workington, which meant Terry Galbraith remained at centre-back alongside Chris Hunter.

Darlington took the lead after just eleven minutes following a mistake from the visitors. The last defender missed his header allowing Cartman to get in round the back and lob the goalkeeper with his shot going in off the post.

[caption id="attachment_14206" align="alignnone" width="300"] Nathan Cartman scores the first goal[/caption]

It was 2-0 just a few minutes later when Phil Turnbull laid the ball off to Mitchell who struck a long range drive into the bottom corner of the goal from all of 25 yards.

Cartman then nearly made it three with a chance almost identical to his goal, but this time his effort went wide of the far post. Mitchell also had a chance to increase the lead, but he blazed over the top with the keeper out of his goal.

Mickleover then got back into the game when a ball over the top saw Oshoboke lob goalkeeper Pete Jameson to make it 2-1.

Just a few minutes later the visitors were nearly level, but an effort was straight at Jameson.

Darlington started the second half on top and Lee Gaskell nearly scored a spectacular volley, but his effort went just wide. Cartman then saw a header from a corner tipped over by the Mickleover goalkeeper.

However, the last twenty minutes would prove to be a nervy affair for Darlington, as the visitors pressed forward looking to get an equaliser.

Jameson had to make two close range saves to keep Darlington ahead. Then right at the death a dangerous ball fell into Jameson’s hands from just a few yards out when it looked a certain goal.

Thankfully the Quakers were able to hold on for their second straight win which keeps the side top of the table on goal difference.

Next up for Darlington is a home tie with Mossley in the FA Trophy next Saturday.

Darlington team: Jameson, Gibbons(Portas), Callaghan, Hunter, Galbraith, Scott, Turnbull, Thompson, Mitchell, Gaskell(Armstrong), Cartman

subs not used: Youhill, Provett, Marley.

Attendance: 1010

Premier Division

P          W        D         L          F          A         PTS     GD

Darlington                               18        11        3          4          39        19        36        +20

Blyth                                       17        11        3          3          33        17        36        +16

Nantwich                                18        8          7          3          48        29        31        +19

Salford City                            14        9          2          3          22        14        29        +8

Ilkeston                                   18        8          5          5          28        26        29        +2

Stourbridge                             16        8          4          4          30        24        28        +6