Fleetwood Town 4 Darlington 0

Quakers have been in action today in a behind closed doors friendly against a strong Fleetwood side, our first competitive game of pre-season.

On Thursday, we received an invitation from the Football League club to play them on their training ground, and we agreed to their request not to publicise the game in advance because of the Covid restrictions in place.

Fleetwood started the game with a strong side, that included former Darlington player Harvey Saunders. They reached the play offs last season, and are gearing up for the start of their fixtures next week. Their manager, Joey Barton, was clearly using the game to check on the fitness of his players.

Quakers included new signings Nicky Hunt in the centre of defence and Dan Maguire up front. Luke Charman, another new signing was on the bench. The triallist family was also represented in our first friendly of pre season.

Darlington: Triallist, Atkinson, Liddle, Hunt, Watson, Wheatley, Donawa, Hatfield, Maguire, Campbell, Rivers

Subs: Hedley, Reid, Holmes, Charman, Rhys Armstrong, triallist

Fleetwood's extra sharpness courtesy of their full time training showed in the opening minutes, when Wes Burns broke down the right hand side and pulled the ball back for Paddy Madden to fire into the roof of the net.

Quakers responded well, playing ball on the ground and putting together some good passing moves.

A shot by Michael Liddle was blocked, and when the ball spun up in the air, the Fleetwood keeper punched it away from Maguire, then Liddle cut in from the left again and struck a powerful right foot shot that was well saved by Joel Coleman.

The Quakers' triallist keeper (who has been at a Football League club) then made a good diving save to keep out a Harvey Saunders header, but he had no chance with the second goal on 26 minutes. A corner kick from the left to the far post was nodded down by Saunders for Burns to turn home from a couple of yards.

But with Hunt orchestrating things from the back for Quakers with some good diagonal passing, the visitors nearly got back into it.

Liddle again found space on the left and set up Jarrett Rivers, whose dipping right foot shot went just over the bar from 18 yards with the keeper beaten, then David Atkinson put the ball into the box from the right for Justin Donawa to have a shot on the turn saved.

Half time: Fleetwood 2 Darlington 0

Quakers made four subs at half time:

Off: Maguire, Rivers, Watson, Wheatley

On: Holmes, Charman, Reid, Hedley

but within five minutes of the restart, Jamie Holmes pulled up and was taken off as a precaution, and was replaced by our outfield triallist. He has tweaked a hamstring.

The keeper triallist made a good save from Callum Camps as the home side's superior fitness showed , but Quakers nearly pulled a goal back with a patient build up through the middle which ended with Adam Campbell playing a 1-2 with Justin Donawa and pulled his right foot shot wide of the left hand post.

Manager AA shuffled his side again on 67 minutes, sending Rivers, Watson and Wheatley back on, and taking off Campbell, Hunt and Liddle, then on 75 minutes rhys Armstrong went on for Donawa.

Quakers were pushed back on the defensive for the last 20 minutes. Madden made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after Morris was fouled, and Madden completed his hat trick with a late header.

But Quakers can be happy with a good performance against a full time outfit to kick off their pre season friendly schedule.

Highlights to follow.

Full time:

Fleetwood Town 4 Darlington 0