Jake gives Quakers the points
By Ray Simpson
Quakers go five unbeaten
Darlington 1 Blyth 0
Attendance 1509
Lawlor (90+12) 1-0
A close range goal from Jake Lawlor in the twelfth minute of stoppage time gave Quakers the point against a stubborn Blyth side.
Confident Quakers had the majority of the possession in the game and got into some excellent positions, but they couldn't break through until deep into the stoppage time period, caused by a medical episode in the crowd.
Quakers are now unbeaten in five league games, in 11th place and just three points behind the play off places.
Here's the post match reaction from manager Alun Armstrong and goalscorer Jake Lawlor
https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/reaction-to-win-over-blyth-spartans
Quakers nearly scored in the first minute. A clearance by Blyth keeper Alex Mitchell rebounded off the advancing Alex Purver and spun just wide of the upright.
Jarrett Rivers got to the bye line on 10 minutes and pulled the ball back for Tyrone O’Neill, who couldn’t quite get a shot in from the six yard line.
Quakers were spreading the play well, but not quite getting the ball into dangerous areas.
Lambert had a shot charged down from a Rivers set up, then Rivers made a good run into the box but then lost possession.
Blyth replied with a shot by Dan Maguire that was blocked.
Quakers were awarded a free kick for a foul on Kevin Dos Santos on 32 minutes for which Karl Byrne was booked, and Ben Hedley curled the free kick just wide of the left hand upright.
Quakers nearly scored on 39 minutes, when a corner was cleared to the edge of the box for Kallum Griffiths to spoon the ball high in the air, and O’Neill running in, glanced the ball just wide under pressure from Mitchell.
And in Quakers’ next attack, O’Neill set up Jack Lambert, who toepoked the ball just wide of the post.
Lambert made a good run down the left and crossed low into the near post, where Rivers had an effort blocked for a corner.
Quakers were denied by the woodwork on 44 minutes. Kevin Dos Santos got into the area, but the ball was cleared as far as Joe Wheatley, who struck a first time right foot shot that struck the base of the post and bounced to safety.
Half time 0-0
Quakers are playing in yellow and blue today, in support of Ukraine.
Today's match is sponsored by CKJ interiors
https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/news/thanks-to-our-blyth-match-sponsors-ckj-interiors
and matchball sponsors are Darlo Real Ale Crew (DRAC) who are celebrating the 60th birthday of one of their number, Richard Jones.
Quakers nearly scored straight after half time. Dos Santos ran into the box and was challenged, and Griffiths, following up, hammered a shot straight at the keeper.
A minute later Rivers broke into the box on the right, and fired just over.
Quakers had penalty appeals turned down when Lambert went down in the box under a challenge from Almond.
There then followed a lengthy break of over 20 minutes to deal with a medical episode in the crowd -- the club would like to thank all the staff from both clubs who looked after the person concerned. He was taken to hospital, and has since been discharged.
Quakers brought on new signing Cameron Thompson for Jack Lambert on 82 minutes.
Dos Santos made a good run and set up Purver, whose shot was deflected wide, and from the corner, Jake Lawlor’s header looped into Mitchell’s hands.
Blyth defender, Deverdics nearly put through his own goal when he deflected a Rivers cross, but the ball ended up in Mitchell’s hands.
Quakers broke through in the 12th minute of stoppage time, Will Hatfield cut in from the left, struck a low shot that Mitchell parried, Thompson’s follow up hit the bar, but Lawlor was on hand to stab the ball in his second goal for the club, with David Wheater following up to make sure.
Thompson then broke through on the left and forced a good save out of Mitchell.
Blyth nearly levelled in the 20th minute of stoppage time when a good exchange of passes put O’Donnell in, but he dragged his shot wide.
And in the 23rd minute of stoppage time, Taylor punched a right wing cross as far as O’Donnell, whose return lob went over the bar.
Fianl score: Darlington 1 Blyth 0
Team: Taylor, Griffiths, Wheater, Lawlor, Hedley; Wheatley (sub Hatfield 90+1), Purver, Lambert (sub Thompson 82), Dos Santos, Rivers, O'Neill (sub Cassidy 90+6)
Subs: Cassidy, Rose, Storey
Team: Mitchell, Liddle (sub Watson 36), Buddle, Hickey, Maguire (sub Reid 90+4), O'Donnell, Dale (sub MacNall 49), Byrne, McKeown, Deverdics, Almond
Subs: Barlow, Djalo
Booking: Byrne
