Darlington 1 Oxford City 3

Clark 29 mins, 0-1, Taylor 37 mins 0-2, 59 mins, 0-3, Lees 82 mins, 1-3

Thanks to our match sponsor: Glenwood Decorating Supplies

and our matchball sponsor: Perspectives

Darlington failed to beat Oxford City and missed out on a possible play off place at Blackwell Meadows.

Quakers went into the game knowing that they had to beat Oxford City and hope that results went in their favour elsewhere, but after Quakers dominated the first 30 minutes, Oxford scored twice before half time.

As events turned out, only one of the teams above Quakers lost, so even if Quakers had won his game, they would have missed out on the play offs.

But nevertheless, it was still a disappointing day.

Here are Steve's thoughts on the game:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gsPWXTircA

and the goals:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZQLaL1IqQY

Quakers had a chance in the third minute. A long clearance by Rory Watson ran for Aidan Rutledge to hit a first time shot that went just wide of the left hand post.

Quakers had another chance when the ball dropped for Elliot Forbes to hit a first time shot towards the bottom corner , but a defender just managed to stick out his foot and stop the ball going in.

From  Ellis Stanton’s corner that followed, Rutledge flicked the ball goalwards but a defender blocked on the line.

They had another chance on 15 minutes when Fitzhugh and McGowan combined on the left, and McGowan crossed to the far post where Ton Tweedy put a left foot shot on the turn just wide.

Quakers went their closest yet when Main’s effort from the edge of the box was fumbled by keeper Max Metcalfe, and Tweedy’s follow up was deflected past the post.

From the corner that followed, Scott Barrow’s right foot effort went just past the post.

Oxford had their first chance on 28 minutes when George burrows set up Ashley Hemmings, whose shot was blocked.

But Oxford scored in their next attack when Ewan Clark got away, and slipped the ball past the advancing keeper.

And it was 2-0 on 37 minutes when Clark broke down the right, and he squared the ball into the middle for Matty Taylor to lash home

HT 0-2

Quakers started the second half with plenty of purpose, and they had a half chance when Rutledge nodded down a Stanton free kick, but just as Forbes was about to shoot, the ball was whipped off his toes.

They had a good chance when Stanton’s corner went to the far post but Tweedy couldn’t force the ball home.

Quakers made their first change on 57 minutes, Jonah Lowes coming on for Stanton.

Oxford caught Quakers on the break on 59 minutes when a clearance by Rory Watson was headed straight back towards Matt Taylor, who ran through and beat Watson.

Quakers tried to hit back, and Forbes crossed from the right for Fitzhugh to volley straight at Metcalfe.

Quakers made their second sub on 68 minutes, Kallum Griffiths coming on for Platt, 

then Paddy McLaughlin came on for McGowan.

Quakers went close when Fitzhugh crossed from the left, and the ball went just past the far post.

But with four goals required to win, Quakers task was now impossible.

However, they pulled one back when Toby Lees headed in a left wing corner on 82 minutes.

Quakers kept going, and Metcalfe pulled off a one-handed save from another Lees header.

Quakers then got a penalty for handball in stoppage time, but Rutledge put the ball over the top

Full time: Darlington 1 Oxford City 3

Watson, Forbes, Lees, Barrow, Platt (sub Griffiths 68), Tweedy, Stanton (sub Lowes 57), McGowan (sub McLaughlin 70), Fitzhugh (sub Nelson 82), Main, Rutledge 

Subs: Mason, Hedley, Myers-Smith, 

Bookings: Watson, Rutledge, Barrow, Griffiths