Emphatic away win for Quakers

By Ray Simpson

Mar 12, 2016

Matlock 0 Darlington 5Another superb away performance by Darlington gave them their 11th away leag...

Matlock 0 Darlington 5

Another superb away performance by Darlington gave them their 11th away league win of the season.

Quakers jumped into second with the victory, because Salford lost at Skelmersdale, and now they're seven points behind leaders Blyth, who lost at home to Halesowen.

Quakers took the lead after just two minutes in their first real attack. Stephen Thompson found Tom Portas 30 yards out and the midfielder slipped in Nathan Cartman, who knocked the ball past the advancing George willis for his 13^th league goal of the season.

Quakers had another chance when Thompson made a good run forward, and with Lee Gaskell and Cartman both in good positions, decided to shoot from 25 yards, but he pulled his effort wide.

Quakers were denied by the woodwork on 13 minutes. Terry Galbraith crossed from way out on the left to the far post, where Gaskell headed powerfully against the crossbar with the keeper beaten.

It was 2-0 on 16 minutes. Chris Hunter’s long throw was helped on by skipper Kevin Burgess for Cartman to turn in at the far post.

[caption id="attachment_18868" align="alignnone" width="300"] Gary Brown helps on Chris Hunter's long throw[/caption]

Quakers had to withstand a little bit of pressure, but they broke out and nearly scored the third in 27 minutes, when Thompson’s low cross was met by Gaskell at the far post, but Willis blocked well, and in Quakers’ next attack, Portas crossed into the middle where Cartman’s volley was blocked by Willis.

The woodwork again denied Quakers on 32 minutes. Galbraith found Gaskell to his left, and Gaskell hit a left foot shot that struck the post and came back out to Thompson, who fired wide of the target.

It was 3-0 on 39 minutes! Phil Turnbull’s free kick was headed goalwards by Cartman, the keeper saved it one handed, but Burgess was on hand to tap in his 7^th league goal of the season.

Half time Matlock 0 Darlington 3

Don't forget to vote for your man of the match after the game!

Matlock nearly pulled one back straight after half time.Ted Cribley crossed from the right to find Niall McManus completely unmarked, but keeper Peter Jameson managed to block his shot well.

Matlock had another chance when sub Paling got to the bye line and pulled the ball back for McManus, who turned and fired towards goal, but Jameson touched the ball over the top.

Jameson again had to be at his best to stop another effort from McManus, and then he had to react quickly and push Turnbull’s mishit clearance over the bar.

Quakers withstood that spell of pressure and scored a fourth when Liam Hardy, on as sub for Gaskell, picked up a poor backpass, cleverly rounded Willis, and tapped the ball in.

Goal number 5 came along on 75 minutes. Hardy was fouled out on the left, and Thompson hit the free kick low through a crowd of players into the bottom corner.

[caption id="attachment_18870" align="alignnone" width="300"] Stephen Thompson's free kick nestles in the back of the net[/caption]

Quakers nearly got a sixth when Hardy dribbled in from the left, beat two men and set up Thompson, whose shot was blocked.

Full time:

Matlock 0 Darlington 5

Goals: Cartman (2 mins, 0-1, 16 mins, 0-2) Burgess (39 mins 0-3), Hardy (64 mins, 0-4), Thompson (75 mins, 0-5)

Man of the match vote here https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Z7RXLQJ

Jameson, Hunter, Galbraith, Turnbull (sub Nowakowski 65), Burgess, Brown, Portas, .Scott, Gaskell (sub Hardy 57 mins), Cartman (sub Armstrong 57 mins), Thompson.

Subs not used: Mitchell, Provett

Booking: Hardy

Willis, Harcourt, Nelthorpe (sub Paling 45), Wilson, Yates, Burgin, Cribley, Needham, McManus, Holland (sub Orrell 59), Dawes (sub Purkiss 45).

Subs not used: Gaughan, Maxfield

Ref S Donoghue

Attendance 745

Next game: Stamford (away) Tuesday