Quakers secure hat trick of wins
By Ray Simpson
Goal by Nella the turning point
Darlington 3 Banbury 1
Goals: Cornish 33 mins 1-0, Elliott-Wheeler 46 mins 1-1, Nelson 64 mins 2-1, Salkeld 90 +2 mins, 3-1
Attendance 1466
Today's game is designated as HerGameToo day
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Quakers beat Banbury for the first time ever to secure a hat trick of wins at Blackwell Meadows.
Quakers finished a one-sided first half a goal to the good thanks to Matty Cornish, but right at the start of the second half Banbury equalised.
But Andrew Nelson scored off a penalty rebound to put Darlington back in front, then Cameron Salkeld wrapped it up near the end to put Quakers level on points with Banbury with a marginally worse goal difference.
Here are the goals and post match interviews with Steve Watson and Matty Cornish.
https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/goals-and-reaction-from-the-banbury-win
Quakers won an early free kick on the left that Scott Barrow hoisted to the far side of the box and Kallum Griffiths nodded down, but there was nobody to take advantage.
Andrew Nelson then controlled a long ball about 30 yards out, but was then closed down by two defenders.
He was then inches away from controlling a through ball from Ben Liddle, with keeper Jack Harding just gathering the ball.
Quakers had their first real attempt on goal on 11 minutes when Griffiths controlled a diagonal ball from Hedley, ran forward and hit a 25 yarder that Harding held on to.
Quakers won their first corner on 14 minutes thanks to Will Hatfield, but Cornish’s left wing corner was easily held by Harding.
Banbury won a free kick on the left on 17 minutes, and after Quakers defended it well, Charles mishit his shot straight at Young from twelve yards.
Quakers were forced into a sub on 19 minutes when Ben Liddle limped off and was replaced by Jarrett Rivers.
They had a half chance on 22 minutes when Rivers crossed from the left and the ball was headed out as far as Platt, who couldn’t get over the ball and mishit his shot high into the keeper’s hands.
And they nearly got a slice of luck on 26 minutes when Griffiths whipped a cross in from the right, and Tai Fleming sliced his clearance up in the air and fortunately for him straight into his keeper’s hands.
Quakers gained a free kick on the right for a foul on Griffiths on 27 minutes,. Cornish hoisted the ball to the far post, where Barrow’s header was cleared off the line.
Quakers took the lead on 32 minutes. Rivers again crossed from the left, Nelson had a header well saved by Harding, but Cornish was there to slam the ball into the roof of the net, his second goal of the season.
Quakers kept it tight until half time, and nearly got a second just on the whistle, when Griffiths played the ball into the box for Main to fire straight at Harding.
Half time 1-0
Banbury levelled straight on the restart, when a deep cross from the right by Elliott-Wheeler sailed over to the far post and into the top left corner.
Quakers were forced into another sub when Rivers went off injured, and was replaced by Cameron Salkeld.
The goal had clearly given Banbury a boost, and they won a corner on 55 minutes which Quakers cleared at the near post.
But Quakers got away down the right on 59 minutes, and Cornish’s low cross was flicked wide by Salkeld.
Quakers got a penalty on 64 minutes when Cornsih put the ball through for Salkeld, who was sent tumbling by Harding.
Hatfield took the penalty and it was saved by Harding, and the ball fell for Nelson who slotted the ball into the bottom corner with the help of a deflection.
Banbury tried to respond, and Platt put in a great slide tackle inside his own six yard box to huge roars from the crowd.
The game really opened up , and Maja tried to catch out Young from 30 yards, but the keeper saved easily.
It was nearly 3-1 though on 77 minutes when Banbury didn’t clear the ball in their own penalty area, and Hatfield hit the right post with a left foot shot.
Elliott-Wheeler then found space in the box and tried a low shot that Young saved at the foot of his post.
Quakers kept their composure and nearly got a third when Hatfield put Cornish through, but the keeper pushed his effort over the bar. Nelson nearly scored from Cornish’s corner, but the keeper blocked at point blank range.
Elliott-Wheeler then found space in the box and tried a low shot that Young saved at the foot of his post.
And it was all over in stoppage time when Quakers broke from a Banbury corner, and Main played the ball through for Cameron Salkeld to slot past the keeper.
Full time: Darlington 3 Banbury 1
Team: Young, Griffiths, Lees, Barrow, Hedley, Platt, Liddle (sub Rivers 19, sub Salkeld 50) , Hatfield, Cornish, Nelson, Main
Subs: Lawlor, Curry, Lindley
Banbury: Harding, Maye, Woodhouse, Fleming, Elliott-Wheeler, Charles (sub Hewitt 46), Darlington, Giles, J Johnson, Hall, Maja
Subs: D'Ath, Hewitt, Wood, R Johnson, Whyman
