Darlington 4 Alfreton 1

Goals: Lambert 20 mins, 1-0, Hedley 30 mins 2-0, Rivers 31 mins, 3-0, Southwell 50 mins, 3-1

Attendance 931

We would like to thank our friends from EBAC for their continuing support

https://www.ebac.com/

and Cleveland Containers

https://www.clevelandcontainers.co.uk/

Quakers moved into the third round of the Isuzu FA Trophy thanks to a great half first display at Blackwell Meadows.

They scored three times in the first 45 minutes, the most notable goal being Ben Hedley's first ever goal for the club in his 99th appearance for the club.

Alfreton hit back early in the second half to cause some nervous moments, but Quakers regained control and won the game.

The draw for the third round will be made on Tuesday afternoon.

Here are the goals:

https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/goals-from-fa-trophy-win-available-now

Alfreton were the first to threaten, when Bailey Hobson controlled the ball well on the edge of the area, but Jassem Sukar did well to block his shot. The ball went out for a corner, which went over everybody for a goal kick.

Quakers won the first corner after 7 minutes and Ben Liddle’s flag kick eventually landed for Jacob Hazel, who fired over on the turn from the edge of the box.

In Quakers next attack, Dan Dodds moved forward and hit a right foot shot a yard wide from the edge of the box.

Quakers nearly scored on 18 minutes. Jack Lambert whipped a free kick from the left into the near post, and Dodds had a shot blocked six yards out.

Quakers took the lead on 20 minutes. A build up through the middle saw Hazel play the ball into the box for Lambert, who hit a first time shot across George Willis into the bottom left corner for his 6^th goal of the season.

Alfreton nearly levelled on 26 minutes, when Conor Branson got into the box and hit a left foot shot that Tommy Taylor pushed over the bar.

It was 2-0 on 30 minutes. Ben Hedley picked the ball up on the left touchline and crossed into the middle towards Hazel, and the ball bounced once and went into the net. His first goal for the club in 99 appearances.

It was 3-0 a minute later,  when Liddle played the ball to the edge of the six yard box where Rivers took a touch and then poked the ball past the keeper.

But Quakers had a let off from a free kick when the ball was fired back across the face of goal and Adam Lund miskicked a yard out.

Alfreton should have pulled a goal back when Lund forced a full length save out of Taylor, and Bailey Hobson put the follow up over the bar.

Half time 3-0

Alfreton pulled a goal back on 50 minutes, when a cross from the right was nodded down at the far post for sub Dayle Southwell to volley home.

And it was a nearly a second when Matt Rhead headed another right wing cross against the bar.

But Quakers slowly regained their composure, and nearly made it 4-1 on 65 minutes when Lambert found space on the left and hit a low shot that went just past the right hand post.

Quakers went close with a free kick on 70 minutes, which Rivers played short for Lambert to fire towards goal, the ball took a deflection off a defender and Willis scrambled across to save.

Another chance came along on 74 minutes when Lambert pulled the ball back for Hazel to fire over the bar.

Alfreton were reduced to ten men when Lund was red carded for a wild challenge on Hedley

Hazel was inches away from a fourth with a left foot shot, then Hobson had a shot deflected over at the other end.

And in stoppage time, Lambert made the game safe with a left foot shot that beat Willis all ends up

Team: Taylor, Dodds, Lawlor, Sukar, Hedley, Moke, Liddle, Purver, Rivers, Lambert, Hazel

Subs: Rose, Martin, Griffiths, Barbosa

Alfreton

Willis, Clackstone, Preston (sub Southwell 46), Lund, McGrath (sub Butterfield 60), Wiley, Thewliss, Branson, Rhead, Cantrill, Hobson

Subs: Salam, Denton, Askew