Source: Northern_Echo
Cooper forced into action for Quakers
Staines Town 0 Darlington 1[LNB] IT'S only one week into pre-season, but Mark Cooper is already struggling to get a fully-fit squad - to the extent that the Darlington boss had to come on as a substitute in his side's 1-0 win over Staines Town last night.[LNB] Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, Kris Taylor, Paul Arnison, Adam Quinn and Aaron Brown are all sidelined, with last night's match-winner John Campbell also picking up a groin strain, which could rule him out of tomorrow's third pre-season game against Brackley Town.[LNB] Striker Tommy Wright also picked up a hamstring strain 20 minutes from the end, and with only Cooper and sub keeper Jordan Nixon left on the bench, the boss was forced to put himself on.[LNB] Cooper, 42, admitted he is already down to the bare bones of his squad, but believes bringing in several new faces may not be the answer.[LNB] He said: "It's crazy I've never seen anything like it.[LNB] "We're down to 13 players already. We could bring a few in but what happens when the injured lads get fit We do need one or two but the boys here, Bridge-Wilkinson, Campbell, Kris Taylor, Arnison, Quinn and Brown, the list goes on. Hopefully it's a week or two maximum for most of them.[LNB] "We'll try and get some trialists in for the game against Brackley to give us a few more options.[LNB] "John felt his groin first half so we took him off. If there's any doubt we'll not risk him against Brackley."[LNB] On his side's performance, Cooper said: "It was quite comfortable but we'd like to score more goals, but when you look at the injuries we've got, we had a few missing.[LNB] "If we'd had a fully fit team out we'd have won more comprehensively but it was important we didn't get any more injuries.[LNB] "Pre-season, I don't like it. It's all about trying to keep players as fit as you can, which we haven't, and it's just about trying to get the rust out of the players."[LNB] The breakthrough goal came 19 minutes in and it was a lovely move between the front trio of Wright, Campbell and James Walshaw.[LNB] Walshaw collected the ball from left-back Phil Gray and played a clever one-two with Wright, before the new signing crossed to Campbell, who was waiting at the back post to coolly slot the ball home.[LNB] The goal calmed Quakers after Staines' Andre Scarlett had come close to putting the hosts ahead when he burst into the box and unleashed a powerful shot, but his effort went just over.[LNB] The home side were limited to just one other clear-cut chance in the opening 45 when Howard Newton blasted wide, with Quakers well in control and moving the ball about well.[LNB] After a lively first-half shift, goalscorer Campbell was taken off as a precaution after, giving Cooper the chance to run the rule on trialist Ryan Bowman from Carlisle.[LNB] The second half was much of the same, with Quakers enjoying the best chances, limiting their hosts to few opportunities.[LNB] Then, in the 70th minute on came Cooper, and barely three minutes after his introduction, he almost got himself on the score sheet.[LNB] The ball fell to him on the edge of the area and the boss unleashed a fierce goal-bound shot - only for it to be blocked by Liam Hatch.[LNB] Substitute Hatch then missed a great chance when the ball fell to him at the back post, but his effort went well over.[LNB] Cooper, whose last game came for Kettering in 2007 after a 20-year, 457 game career, admitted he didn't expect to play, but said he was disappointed not to score.[LNB] He said: "Hatchy blocked it on the line and then he heads it straight to the keeper.[LNB] "There was no one else so I had to come on. I'm sure the lads will take the micky out of me, which is great, we've got a great spirit amongst the players.[LNB] "I didn't expect to come on, but looks like I'll be in the squad on Wednesday."[LNB] Darlington: Russell; Taylor (Ferguson 56), Miller, Lee, Gray; Chandler, McReady, Rundle; Walshaw (Hatch 52), Wright (Cooper 70), Campbell (Bowman 43). Sub (not used): Nixon (gk).[LNB]
