Darlington make it six in a row

Posted on 29th November 2006

Darlington progressed to the Northern section semi finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with a 1–0 win over Mansfield Town. Quakers made a number of changes for the game with manager Dave Penney well aware of the fixtures ahead. In the end Darlington had to call upon Martin Smith.

The substitute came off the bench to hit a brilliant shot which arrowed into the top corner and fired Darlington into the later stages of a competition Quakers have had little luck in prior to this season. Smith is making a habit of scoring from great strikes and speaking after the game Penney had nothing but praise for the goal.

"It was fantastic," he enthused. "He scored a great goal in the FA Cup against Lewes late on. It is just that little bit of quality he has got. Even when he came on his passing just gave us that little bit of extra quality and it was a great goal to win the game."

Overall the game was very evenly matched with the changes Darlington made clearly affecting the rhythm they have showed in recent games. In the end defences were on top for the majority of the game. Penney admitted some of this was down to the players who stepped in not being fully used to the pace he wants to play.

"We tried to rest some people and we had five fresh legs in there but those that came in didn't really get to the tempo of the game we want to play at. It wasn't until we fetched the three substitutes on that it lifted the tempo. The likes of Wainwright and Cummins are used to playing at that tempo," said Penney. "The other couldn't quite get to it and that is the reason we didn't play as well. We battled away though and a win is a win."

Darlington face an FA Cup tie at the weekend against Swansea City and then the following Tuesday travel to Wycombe Wanderers for a league game. With the Christmas schedule looming ever closer the number of fixtures will only increase.

Penney admitted that having played with ten men for a large part of the game the previous weekend he was aware of the need to give players a rest. He admitted however it didn't quite work and with the benefit of hindsight conceded sticking with the same team may have been the way to go.

"They had played so long with ten men (against MK Dons) so there was that but I'm not sure if it worked," admitted Penney. "We probably should have gone with the same team. They were the brighter ones who are used to playing at that tempo. Those who came in couldn't quite get to it but they have got ninety–minutes under their belts now some of them so that will help."

Earlier Darlington news

Staggs boss looking for a reaction
Darlington set to make changes
Penney chalks up another win as Quakers boss
Darlington complete loan deals on three
Darlington set to swoop for loan signings
Darlington short on defenders
Darlington kids face tough test
A great result and great performance says Penney
Lincoln prepare to entertain Darlington
Darlington forward heads to Switzerland
Coming month will test Quakers
Quakers get Swansea in second round
Penney aiming for another clean sheet
Cup results offer a word of warning for Quakers
Darlington sent a warning by Lewes