Darlington 0 Tamworth 1

Attendance 1402

Acquaye 12 mins, 0-1

Thanks to our match sponsors: MSG Bike Gear

https://www.msgbikegear.co.uk/

It was the same old story for Quakers when they were beaten at home by league leaders Tamworth.

There was plenty of honour in defeat in that Quakers caused Tamworth some problems, but they couldn't take their chances when they came along, especially right at the end of the game.

Here's Steve's reaction to the defeat:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9pWHKTwAJ0

Tamworth’s Thomas Tonks has a good long throw, and he put the ball into the Darlington box twice in the opening couple of minutes, but Quakers defended well.

Tamworth won a  free kick on the left on 7 minutes which was floated in by Nathan Tshikuna, for Dan Creaney to head in to Tommy Taylor’s hands.

Quakers went a goal down on 12 minutes. Tonks threw the ball in long from the left, Quakers couldn’t clear it, and Ben Acquaye scored with a left foot shot from ten yards that crept just inside the post.

After Scott Barrow had a shot blocked to get the crowd going , Quakers won two corners inside the 16^th minute, and Tamworth managed to get the ball away.

Quakers won another corner on 20 minutes, and this time the ball was headed down by Salkeld for Lawlor to turn over the bar.

Tamworth had a half chance again when another long throw was partly cleared and Kyle Finn fired wide, then Taylor got down well to save from Tshikuma.

Quakers had their first real attempt on goal on 34 minutes when Ngandu picked the ball up on the left, cut inside, and curled a right foot shot that Singh held on to.

Darlington had a long throw themselves on 36 minutes when Scott Barrow hurled the ball in from the left, for Platt to put in a back header that Singh saved.

Just on half time, Lees made a great run from the back and set up Nelson who beat Singh with a low shot, but the goal was disallowed for offside

Half time: Darlington 0 Tamworth 1

In the second half, Reilly and Tshikuna were booked in the space of two minutes as Quakers started with plenty of purpose, and Barrow had a left shot blocked after a good crossfield pass by Lees.

Quakers made their first change on 57 minutes, Salkeld coming off for Curry.

After Barrow caused chaos with a good run towards the Tamworth box that was eventually stopped, Acquaye broke away for Tamworth to go 1 v 1 against Taylor, and fired wide.

Quakers made their second sub on 66 minutes, Will Hatfield coming on for Liddle.

Quakers though kept working hard and pushing forward, and on 73 minutes they brought Rivers on for Lindley.

Rivers played a 1-2 with Ngandu to get into the box, but a defender just managed to get a tackle in.

Quakers got a free kick for a foul on Nelson about 20 yards out on 80 minutes, but Barrow curled the free kick over the bar.

Tamworth tried to wind the clock down, but Quakers kept up the pressure.

They had a corner in the first minute of stoppage time that was cleared, and then when a Barrow long throw was cleared, Ngandu fired over the top.

They had a free kick from 25 yards that was taken by Hedley, but the Tamworth defence got the ball away.

Quakers had dominated the possession and kept going right to the end, but they didn't create enough chances.

Full time Darlington 0 Tamworth 1

Team: Taylor, Hedley, Lees, Lawlor, Barrow, Platt, Lindley (sub Rivers 73), Liddle (Hatfield 66), Ngandu, Salkeld (sub Curry 57)Nelson

Subs: Sukar, Windass

Booking: Platt (foul)

Tamworth

Singh, Curley, Finn, Fairlamb, Acquaye, Willets, Dolman, Jellis (sub Reilly 21),Creaney, Tonks, Tshikuna.

Subs: Deacon, Cullinane-Liburd, Cockerill-Mollett, Williams