Source: Northern_Echo
Cats overcome Quakers
DARLINGTON kicked-off their pre-season schedule yesterday with a encouraging display against Premier League Sunderland.[LNB] The Black Cats snatched victory in the closing stages at The Northern Echo Arena with substitute Bolo Zenden scoring, but it was Quakers who took the plaudits.[LNB] Mark Cooper's first game in the Darlington dug-out saw a resilient performance from a side featuring most of the club's new signings. But an organised and defensively sound Quakers played like a team who understand their roles.[LNB] Nine players have arrived since the end of last season, including defender Danny Hone and striker Liam Hatch who joined on loan last week, and both played yesterday while Sam Russell was impressive on his return to the club.[LNB] The goalkeeper was named man of the match after making several fine saves and providing an assured presence between the posts.[LNB] Russell was unable to stop Zenden's low strike from the edge of the area finding the back of the net inside the final ten minutes, however, if Quakers are able to replicate the same type of endeavour in the Blue Square Bet Premier then an immediate return to the Football League looks on the cards.[LNB] Referee: Colin Webster (Tyne and Wear)[LNB] Attendance: 5,625[LNB] DARLINGTON (4-4-2): Russell; Arnison, Hone, Miller (Cornforth 58), Werling (Porter 68); Senior (Moore 18), Chandler (Hopson 79), Brough, J Gray (Main 46); Hatch (McReady 73), Wright (Smith 68).[LNB] Subs (not used): Thompson, Burn, P Gray[LNB] SUNDERLAND (4-4-2): Carson (Mignolet 46); Bardsley (Weir 84), Turner, Kilgallon (Ferdinand 62), McCartney (Liddle 46); Henderson, Richardson (Colbeck 46), Cattermole (Al-Muhammadi 29), Malbranque (Zenden 62); Campbell (Tounkara 79), Bent (Jones 62).[LNB]
