Farsley 1 Darlington 2

Salkeld (32 mins, 0-1) Hatfield (48 mins, 0-2), Branson (78 mins, 1-2)

Quakers deservedly won the first time in eleven league matches with goals by Cameron Salkeld and Will Hatfield, and also gave manager Josh Gowling his first win in charge.

Quakers deserved to win at the Citadel, as they outplayed and outfought the home side. They showed plenty of passion and determination, and deserved the acclaim of the travelling fans at the end.

It was also the first win under the charge of manager Josh Gowling, who was as nervous as everybody else in the closing minutes when ten man Farsley were desperately throwing players forward, and Quakers were missing chances to finish the game off on the break.

Here's Josh's reaction and the goals

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9fLYDpK0-E

Quakers won the first corner on 4 minutes, but Will Hatfield’s inswinger was cleared at the near post. Farsley broke and won a free kick on the right, which was floated over everybody by George Smith, the former Darlington player.

Farsley then won a free kick 30 yards out on 7 minutes for a foul, but Kieran Burton headed the cross away.
Quakers nearly scored on 12 minutes. Tom Platt played a 1-2 with Jonny Ngandu to get up the left and into the box, where he pulled the ball back for Salkeld, who couldn’t quite connect, but the ball nearly rebounded off a defender into the net.

Farsley player-manager Clayton Donaldson was booked for a late challenge on keeper Tommy Taylor on 16 minutes.

A great ball by Hazel of about 40 yards nearly got Ngandu through on 22 minutes, but Farsley keeper Leban came out of his box and cleared.
Farsley won a free kick out on the right next to the 18 yard line on 23 minutes, but Taylor fisted Smith’s free kick away.

Quakers though were slowly getting on top and growing in confidence. They nearly scored on 30 minutes. Hatfield won the ball in midfield and sent Hazel racing through, and the striker’s low right foot shot was touched around the post by the keeper.

Quakers took the lead on 32 minutes. The ball was headed away by the Darlington defence for Hayden Lindley to find Hazel, who in turn played the ball through for Salkeld, who kept his composure and slotted the ball into the bottom corner for his first goal for the club.

It was nearly 2-0 on 40 minutes when Ngandu curled a free kick from the left in for Jake Lawlor to put in a looping header that Leban saved.

Hazel then nearly sent Ngandu away, but the Farsley defence just managed to cover on their 18 yard line.

Farsley had their first real chance of the half just on half time, a low shot by Smith that Taylor pushed around the near post.

Half time

Farsley 0 Darlington 1 

Quakers scored a crucual second goal to give themselves some breathing space on 48 minutes. Quakers got a free kick for a foul about 30 yards out on Ngandu. Hatfield whipped the ball into the area, and it went straight into the net across the keeper, his fourth of the season.

It was nearly 3-0 when Salkeld raced into the area and set up Lindley whose shot was blocked, and the ball came out for Kallaum Griffiths whose first time volley was deflected wide.

In Quakers’ next attack, Hatfield got to the bye line and crossed for Hazel, whose bicycle kick went over the top.

Quakers made a sub on 65 minutes. Jim Simms coming on for Ngandu, as they soaked up the pressure with Lawlor in particular putting some good challenges in.

Farsley were reduced to ten men on 71 minutes when O’Brien was shown his second yellow for a foul on Hazel on the halfway line as Quakers looked for a third.

Quakers broke away and nearly scored on 75 minutes when Griffiths found Hindley on the right, and the midfielder’s low cross was fumbled by Leban almost into the net.

But ten man Farsley pulled a goal back on 78 minutes when Watson whipped a free kick in from the left for Branson to head past Taylor.

Simms nearly scored at the other end when the ball ran to him after a run by Salkeld, and after he skipped round the keeper, his effort was cleared off the line.

There was another chance when Hazel picked the ball up on the left, cut inside past two men, and fired a right foot shot just past the right hand post.

The game boiled over when Hazel was fouled, but Quakers kept their composure.

Salkeld broke down the right in the 90^th minute and crossed into the middle for Simms, whose effort was blocked.

Simms had another chance saved in 90+4 minutes.

The final whistle was greeted with delight and relief by everyone by Darlington, and the players and the management team fully deserved the ovation from the fans around the ground.

Final Farsley 1 Darlington 2

Here are the matchstats from Alex Jenkins:

Possession DFC 54% Farsley 46%

Attempts on goal; 12/3

Shots on target: 5/1

Final third entries: 30/26

Corners: 10/3

Throw ins: 28/32

Free kicks: 21/14

Team: Taylor, Griffiths, Lawlor, Burton, Hedley, Ngandu (sub Simms 65), Platt, Hatfield, Lindley, Salkeld, Hazel

Subs: Lees, Moke, Nelson, Rowe

Bookings: Platt, Griffiths, Salkeld, Hedley

Farsley

Leban, O’Brien, Smith, Atkinson, Misambo, Allen, Chapman (sub Watson 50), Branson, Donaldson, Youmba, Silva (sub Stevenson 57),

Subs: Carroll, Leverett, Foreshaw

Booking: Donaldson

Two yellows: O'Brien