Quakers held to goalless draw
By Ray Simpson
Quakers pick up point
Thanks to our matchball sponsor, the Darl Knight
Darlington 0 Boston United 0
Attendance 1128
Quakers recovered from their Buxton defeat with a goalless draw against Boston.
It was a much better performance than Saturday, but Quakers couldn't put their chnaces away, but at least they gained their first clean sheet of the season.
Quakers started with plenty of determination, and some good play by Platt found Nelson on the right, and his cross was just too high for Felix.
Quakers had a chance on 3 minutes when the ball was played forward for Felix in a one-on-one against the keeper, but he didn’t get any height on his shot and the Cameron Gregory saved.
Boston had a half chance on 7 minutes when they got round the back of the Darlington defence, and Toby Lees cleared over his own crossbar for a corner that was headed well over the bar.
Quakers had a good chance on 15 minutes when Felix made a good run up the left and pulled the ball back for Barnes to fire just over the top from inside the area.
Boston won their first corner on 19 minutes , but Quakers headed it away at the near post
After a quiet spell in the game, Boston nearly took the lead on 33 minutes. Finley Thorndike made a good run from the left into the six yard box, and he rolled the ball back for Jimmy Knowles who somehow hit the bar from a couple of yards -- a big let off for Quakers.
Quakers had an encouraging end to the half.
They nearly took the lead when they won a free kick on the right on 40 minutes, the ball was curled in by Barnes for skipper Tom Platt to head just wide at the far post.
Quakers won a free kick on the right on 40 minutes, the ball was curled in by Barnes for skipper Tom Platt to head just wide at the far post.
And they went close off another free kick, again by Barnes to the far post where Lees’ header back across goal was just missed by two of his team mates, and in their next attack, a header by Lawlor was blocked by Gregory.
Half time 0-0
Boston had the first chance after the break when they broke quickly on the counter attack through Jimmy Knowles, but his low effort was easily saved by Tommy Taylor.
Knowles then had another chance on the edge of the box, but his left foot shot was deflected wide.
Quakers were awarded a free kick for a foul on Sukar on the left, and Barnes free kick to the back post was just missed by Nelson.
In a good spell of pressure, Barnes quick cross into the box was cleared, then Lawlor seemed to be pushed as he went for a right wing cross but the referee waved play on.
However, Lees had to be alert at the other end to get a good tackle in to stop Woods from breaking through.
Minutes after getting booked for delaying the restart, Andrew Nelson almost gave Quakers the lead when he picked up a pass from Hatfield on the left, and stepped inside, and put a right foot shot just wide of the left hand post.
Quakers made their second sub on 80 minutes, Jacob Hazel coming on for Kaine Felix, and then Cameron Salkeld came on for Nelson.
Quakers nearly won it with two minutes left when Salkeld held the ball up well and set up Hazel, whose low shot was saved by Gregory
Full time 0-0
Team: Taylor, Griffiths, Lawlor, Lees, Sukar, Platt, Hatfield, Moke, Barnes, Nelson, Felix
Subs: Liddle, Hazel, Rivers, Windass, Salkeld
Gregory, Nicholson, Ward, Mooney, J Knowles, Edge, Richards, McLintock, Mills, T Knowles, Thorndike
Subs: Woods, Gyasi, Hill, Essien, Lovelace