Darlington 2 Hereford 1

Lambert 56 mins, 1-0, McGlynn 60 mins, 1-1, Hatfield 81 mins, 2-1

Attendance 1009

We'd like to thank our matchball sponsors, Darlington Diecast Models

Darlington won their sixth home game of the season to move into the top half of the table thanks to a great winner by Will Hatfield.

All the goals came in the second half. Jack Lambert, on his fourth home debut, gave Quakers the lead with a delightful chip, only for Declan McGlynn to equalise.

But free kick specialist Hatfield scored a superb winner to put Quakers into the top half of the table. It was also their sixth home league win of the season.

Quakers had a chance in the second minute. Cedric Main found Jack Maskell on the right, and he fired the ball across the box to Caden Kelly, who fired first time over the bar.

Hereford replied with a high ball forward which the Darlington defence didn’t deal with, and Declan McGlynn fired straight at Pete Jameson.

Quakers got back down the other end, and this time a shooting chance opened up for Elliot Forbes, who put the ball over the top from the edge of the area.

Will Flint then found Scott Barrow on the left, and he whipped in a low cross into the six yard box that nobody could get a touch on.

Hereford put in a good attack that released Jason Cowley into the box, but Jameson blocked at his feet.

Hereford won a free kick on the left for a foul on 25 minutes, but Kallum Griffiths headed the ball away at the near post.

Quakers created a half chance when Lambert crossed diagonally into the box for Maskell to take a touch, but then fired wide of the left hand post.

Quakers won a free kick themselves out on the left, but Lambert overhit the ball and it went over Maskell at the far post.

Quakers won two corners in the space of a minute, but a well-marshalled Hereford defence got the ball away each time.

Quakers were fortunate not to have a penalty awarded against them when Griffiths seemed to trip McGlynn in the box, but the referee awarded a free kick just outside instead. Cowley’s free kick was blocked by the wall.

Half time 0-0

Quakers had the first chance of the second half when Kelly played the ball inside for Lambert, whose effort was blocked by a defender, which took the sting out of the shot and Donaghy saved.

But Hereford broke and went close themselves, when Ceesay played the ball through to Cowley, whose left foot shot was touched over by Jameson.

Quakers took the lead on 56 minutes when Jack Lambert received the ball on the corner of the six yard box from a Will Hatfield flick, and cheekily lobbed the keeper for a goal on his fourth home debut.

But the Bulls were level within five minutes when Ceesay cleverly controlled the ball and set up McGlynn, who fired past Jameson into the net.

Quakers brought Matty Cornish on for Lambert on 61 minutes, and they made another sub six minutes later, Ben Hedley coming on for the injured Griffiths.

And then a third on 74 minutes, Cameron Salkeld coming on for Main

Jameson pulled off a good close range stop to prevent Ceesay, and then he made a full length save to push away Jaiden White’s low effort after he had cut in from the right.

They regained the lead on 81 minutes with another delightful goal by Will Hatfield.

The midfielder was fouled about 25 yards out in a central position. He picked himself up, and curled the ball over the wall into the bottom left corner – his second successive goal from a free kick.

There was nearly another when Hatfield gave Salkeld a shooting opportunity inside the area, but he fired just past the far post.

Final score: Darlington 2 Hereford 1

Team: Jameson, Griffiths (sub Hedley 67 mins), Forbes, Lees, Barrow, Hatfield, Main, Lambert (sub Cornish 61 mins), Kelly (sub Platt 86), Maskell, Main (sub Salkeld 74)

Subs: Rivers

Booking: Griffiths

Thanks to our matchball sponsors Darlington Diecast Models

https://www.darlingtondiecast.co.uk/