DARLINGTON RA 0 -0 WEST AUCKLAND TOWN

(Friday 5 January, 7:30PM)

Another weakened West Auckland side were held by a hardworking Darlington R.A. as they continue to struggle to find form over the winter period.

The match started with both sides struggling to fashion notable opportunities on goal – Mark Bell was quick out of goal to deny a goal scoring chance whilst Darren Kokes was ruled offside as he slotted the ball into the net.  Goalkeeper Nick Farrell then managed to beat Brian Fairhurst to a Danny Richmond corner as the defender looked for a final touch.  Kokes was unfortunate again in the 25th minute when a ball over the defence by Danny Key sent the forward clear and, after rounding the keeper who had rushed out of box, he shot goal wards only for a defender to get back in time to clear the ball away.  Leigh Grant nearly provided the surprise of the night in the 34th minute when his 30 yard shot forced Farrell to push the ball wide.  A minute later Darlington RA had there first good chance of the night when Michael Chiu found space but fired wide.  On the stroke of half time, Dale Jardine, who had the difficult task of replacing Mattie Moffat in the forward line, got in behind his marker but shot just over.

The hosts came out flying in the second half looking the most dangerous they had been.  A 3rd minute header forced Mark Bell into a good save.  However his opposite number was nearly left red faced when a back pass took a horrible bobble of the pitch, bouncing over his foot and luckily out for a corner only.  Brian Fairhurst’s 54th minute free kick from the edge of the area was pushed wide by Farrell before, minutes later, Darren Kokes crossed for Danny Key whose header only found the keepers hands.  The tight game saw both sides defence’s coming out on top although Darlington’s offside trap failed in the 72nd minute when a ball back in sound Brian Fairhurst in acres of space but he only hooked the ball into the keepers arms perhaps not realising the space he had found.  The hosts saw a shot put over the bar before both Dale Jardine and Karl Everitt saw efforts go over the bar.  However the best opportunity of the night came to the hosts in injury time when Michael Chiu broke clear but curled a shot narrowly over.

Team
    1 Mark Bell
    2 Leigh Grant
    3 Danny Key
    4 Gerard Wraith
    5 Brian Fairhurst
    6 Karl Everitt
    7 Danny Kokes
    8 Danny Richmond
    9 Dale Jardine
   10 Kevin Bromley
   11 Andy Cole

Sub Not Used
    David Bayles
    David Moffat
    Jamie Middleton
    Ian Maddison