Darlington 3 Skelmersdale 0

A high energy all round performance put Quakers on top of the league with a comfortable win over Skelmersdale.

Quakers turned the screws from the 20th minute onwards, and could have scored more than they did.

The game was played in a fantastic atmosphere, with everyone , on and off the field, rising to the occasion

At a misty Brewery Field, Quakers had th first free kick on 6 minutes for a foul on Nathan Cartman. Adam Mitchell lifted the ball over to the far post, but the assistant’s flag went up for offside.

There was a chance to Darlo on 14 minutes when Skem keeper Martin Fearon lost possession of the ball out by the corner flag, Graeme Armstrong played the ball into the middle for Nathan Cartman, with his back to goal, to lay off for Stephen Thompson, who fired over the top, although by then three defenders were back covering.

There was a half chance on 22 minutes when Thompson found Galbraith on the left and the full back crossed into the near post where Cartman’s header was deflected into the side netting.

Quakers had a good chance on 24 minutes when Armstrong laid the ball off well for Cartman who ran on, but Fearon came out of his goal to save at his feet.

Gary Brown nearly broke the deadlock on 27 minutes, when Galbraith hoisted a deep corner to the far post, where Brown had a header cleared off the line.

Quakers took the lead on 28 minutes. Galbraith played a short corner to Mitchell, who ran along the bye line and pulled the ball back for Scott who mishit his shot, but Burgess was there to turn to the ball home for his ninth of the season.

Quakers nearly made it 2-0 with another corner from the left, taken by Mitchell and headed just wide by Nowakowski.

Quakers had opportunities to go further ahead. Fearon went full length and saved a low shot by Thompson, then Brown crossed deep from the right to the far post, but Armstrong headed wide.

Quakers had opportunities to go further ahead. Fearon went full length and saved a low shot by Thompson, then Brown crossed deep from the right to the far post, but Armstrong headed wide.

Quakers made it 2-0 on 41 minutes. A long clearance by Jameson was missed by a defender, Thompson got away up the left and squared for cartman to sidefoot home his 19th of the season.

Quakers were awarded a penalty two minutes later when Thompson was upended by Fearon as he chased  through ball and the ref pointed to the spot, but Fearon, who was booked for the challenge, superbly saved Galbraith’s spot kick, the keeper’s sixth penalty save this season.

Another chance to Darlo when Mitchell broke down the right, got to the box, crossed low, Armstrong stepped over the ball and Cartman’s low shot was blocked by Fearon.

Half time

Darlington 2 Skelmersdale 0 (and as it stands, Darlo are top of the league)

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http://darlingtonfc.co.uk/fundraising/

There was a great atmosphere during the interval, with the fans in full voice in time with the drum, and there was a rousing chorus of “Glen and Mary’s black and white army”

Attendance 1296

Don't forget that we're having a netcafe with members of the DFCSG on Thursday, Questions to netcafe@darlingtonfc.org

In the second minute of the second half, Quakers had another chance when Mitchell floated a free kick over from the left for Armstrong to head wide.

The unlucky Armstrong was denied superbly by Fearon on 50 minutes when Mitchell floated the ball over to the far post, Armstrong fired towards goal, but Fearon somehow kept the ball out.

Quakers deservedly scored the third on 58 minutes, when Thompson put Cartman in, but even though the striker’s shot was blocked, Thompson was there to drive the ball home.

Quakers stayed in control after that. Thompson fired high from the edge of the box, and Cartman was just wide with a right foot shot.

Skem nearly pulled one back when Scott Bakker tried his luck from 30 yards out and Jameson seemed to have the ball covered, but it took a deflection and flew just wide of the post with Jameson beaten.

Full time

Darlington 3 Skelmersdale 0

Darlington

Jameson, Hunter (sub Gaskell 69 mins), Galbraith, Portas (sub Nowakowski 24 mins), Burgess, Brown, Mitchell, Scott, Armstrong (sub Hardy 60 mins), Cartman, Thompson

Subs: Provatt, Weldon

Skelmersdale

Fearon, Mooney, Holden, McIntosh (sub Rendell 45), Rowlands, Brewster, Bakker, Woolcott, Hazeldine, Strickland (sub Bailey 68), Almond

Subs:Vassallo, Donaldson, Tuck

Referee: Lucy Oliver