Darlington aiming to make it five wins in a row against Rushall
By Ray Simpson
The Quakers host Rushall Olympic at the weekend hoping to keep their recent fantastic run going and...
Darlington were tested by conditions out of their control at Stamford on Tuesday night, but still came away with a crucial 4-1 win. Traffic delayed the kick-off by 45 minutes and forced Martin Gray to make three changes to his starting eleven, due to the late arrival of some of the side. However, second half goals from Gary Brown, Terry Galbraith, Nathan Cartman and Graeme Armstrong earned the three points.
[caption id="attachment_19061" align="alignnone" width="300"]
Nathan Cartman scores the fourth at Stamford[/caption]
Starting eleven at Stamford
Darlington:
Jameson, Hunter, Galbraith, Turnbull, Nowakowski, Brown, Mitchell (sub Scott 45), Hardy (sub Burgess 45), Gaskell, Cartman, Thompson (sub Armstrong 70)
Not used: Provett, Portas,
Booking: Brown (foul)
It means the Quakers are now only four points behind league leaders Blyth Spartans, still with three games in hand.
Rushall have had a steady season and have never been too far away from the playoff places. They currently sit in ninth place, just two points off fifth place, with games in hand on some of the sides above them.
Recent League form:
March 15th Barwell (home) won 2-0 Reid, Duggan
Rushall Olympic: Preston, Christophorou, Fox, Tolley, Duggan, Townsend, Heath, Taylor, McKenzie, Martin (Walters 69), Reid
Subs not used: Caines, Brown, Matinyadze, Wilkinson
March 5th Hyde United (home) won 2-0 Duggan 2
February 27th Whitby Town (away) won 3-1 McKenzie, Reid, Pell og
February 23rd Buxton (away) won 2-1 Reid 2
February 20th Blyth (home) lost 0-1
February 16th Skelmersdale (away) lost 1-4 Fitzpatrick
February 13th Ashton United (away) won 3-2 Spencer, Reid
They have done well on the road, winning eight of their 16 games away from home this season.
Rushall have only lost nine times in the league this season and won their previous game on Tuesday night, 2-0, against playoff chasing Barwell. They have been on a fantastic run since the turn of the year, winning nine of their last 13 league games.
They include Kris Taylor, who stood by Darlington in that 2011-12 season, and he is featured in Saturday's matchday programme.
The two sides are yet to meet this season, with the reverse fixture coming on what could prove to be a pivotal final day.
Kick-off on Saturday at Heritage Park is 3pm. Updates will be made from the club's Facebook, Twitter, Mobile App and Website, with live coverage from Darlo Fans Radio from 2:50pm.
*Don't forget that car park B is closed on Saturday because of a visiting fair. Parking is available on the nearby retail park and industrial estate.
