Davey's Darlington career starts with a win

03 April 2010 18:01
Simon Davey's first game as Darlington manager got off to a hugely satisfying start as Quakers won 2-1 at Burton Albion.[LNB] He succeeded Steve Staunton on Thursday and wasted no time in collecting his first three-point haul with Josh Gray and Alan White scoring the goals to make it two wins on the bounce having also beaten Shrewsbury last week.[LNB] Whereas Quakers were in control for the majority of that win, Davey's first game in the dug-out was a game of contrasting halves.[LNB] His side scored both of their goals before the break in a one-sided first half, but mid-table Burton pinned Darlington back in the second half.[LNB] The Brewers had pulled a goal back in the 45th minute, and went on to force Darlington keeper Shane Redmond into a handful of fine saves but they could not do enough to force an equaliser.[LNB] They had come close to taking the lead in only the second minute through Greg Pearson, Davey's tenure almost getting off to an auspicious beginning when the Burton striker hit the post after only 70 seconds.[LNB] He met a Jimmy Phillips cross from the left but, with Redmond having narrowed the angle, the forward saw his effort cannon off an upright.[LNB] The chance was the highlight of a lively opening which also saw Darlington midfielder Gary Smith booked for strong challenge on Burton's Russell Penn.[LNB] Smith was involved again on 12 minutes, heading over a great chance to score the first goal under Davey.[LNB] The opportunity came following a delicate cross chipped into the penalty area by Chris Moore who had run on to a perfectly-weighted Paul Arnison pass down the right flank.[LNB] But on 22 minutes the goal that Darlington had been threatening came with Gray finding the net and he owed much to former youth team-mate Curtis Main.[LNB] Main, in for the injured Mor Diop, flicked the ball into Gray's path and the teenager rifled the ball home from 18 yards. He had been threatening his first goal in recent weeks, frequently firing at goal, and he finally got his reward at the Pirelli Stadium Quakers deserved the goal too having been on top for much of the game and they soon had a second goal to celebrate with Alan White heading home.[LNB] He was forward for a corner, taken by Smith, and the Darlington-born defender's unchecked run to the front post resulted in him making it 2-0.[LNB] Playing against the bottom-of-the-table side, Burton cannot have expected such a tough game and manager Paul Peschisolido felt he had to make a change.[LNB] He made a substitution after only 36 minutes, midfielder Michael Simpson being sent on for Phillips, and soon the Albion almost pulled a goal back.[LNB] Redmond, who had a loan spell at Burton at the beginning of the season, made a smart save low to his right to prevent Penn's downwards header after he had met Cleveland Taylor's right-wing cross.[LNB] The Brewers pulled a goal back with a penalty, though referee Jock Waugh was perhaps generous to the hosts in his decision.[LNB] He ignored the striker's theatrical dive and instead adjudged Paul Arnison to have felled Pearson who rammed home his fourth goal in as many games.[LNB] Waugh again frustrated Darlington soon after the restart when Simpson had handled on the goal-line.[LNB] The Burton sub blocked White's header, but Waugh waved away Quakers' protests for a penalty and a red card for Simpson, and after a counter-attack Redmond was called on to make another impressive save.[LNB] Harrad dribbled into Darlington's penalty area and his shot deflected off Arnison but Redmond was alert enough to stop the effort.[LNB] Burton began to dictate the pace of the game in the second half, with their forays down the flanks proving productive. Taylor's right-wing cross to the far post saw Pearson stretch for it but he was unable to get a toe on the ball and it was a warning to Davey's side.[LNB] Quakers seemed unable to get a foot on the ball and slow play down, while the Brewers seemingly attacked at will in search of an equaliser and they came close to getting it.[LNB] White just beat Taylor to a low cross after Penn had beaten Arnison down the left, Kabba's turn and shot was acrobatically tipped over by Redmond and then Taylor whipped in another ball that skimmed across the roof of the net.[LNB] Darlington were clearly lacking someone to hold the ball up, a Diop figure, though they could again have been awarded a penalty when Purcell was felled.[LNB] Right-back Andy Corbett bundled the Irish striker to the ground with a clumsy challenge, but Waugh again played on.[LNB] Still Burton continued to press and their closest chance came in the dying moments, Taylor firing low across goal but there was nobody there to tap it home, much to the frustration of the home fans.[LNB] Darlington managed to hang on though and in the third minute of injury time Gray burst through and fired a low shot saved by keeper Artur Krysiak.[LNB] It proved to be final notable moment of an action-packed game that Quakers closed out to seal a satisfying sixth victory of the season.[LNB] Having previously beaten Burton in November, today's win represents their third double having also twice defeated Rotherham and Shrewsbury.[LNB] Due to Torquay and Cheltenham also winning, Quakers remain 16 points from safety with 27 to play for.[LNB] Davey's first home game is on Easter Monday against Hereford United.[LNB] Goals: Gray (22, 0-1), White (32, 0-2); Pearson (45, 1-2)[LNB] Bookings: G Smith (2, foul), Dempsey (40, foul), Main (50, obstruction)[LNB] Referee: Jock Waugh (Sheffield)[LNB] Attendance: 2,779[LNB] Burton Albion (4-4-2): Krysiak; Corbett, Parkes, James, Boertien; Taylor, McGrath (Gilroy 73), Penn, Phillips (Simpson 36); Pearson, Harrad (Kabba 63). Subs (not used): Pools (gk), Webster, Boco, Kelly[LNB] Darlington (4-4-2): Redmond; Arnison, White, Miller, Milne; Moore, G Smith, Dempsey, Gray; Purcell, Main (Convery 89). Subs (not used): Liversedge (gk), Groves, Byrne, Madden, Mulligan, M Smith[LNB]

Source: Northern_Echo