Source: Northern_Echo
Last match sees Darlington prepare for final
Darlington's final league match of the season tomorrow will be almost a dress rehearsal for the club's FA Trophy final appearance next week, says manager Mark Cooper.[LNB] Rushden & Diamonds visit The Northern Echo Arena and Cooper will field a strong side.[LNB] He fielded several fringe players, including all four of his cup-tied players - Adam Quinn, John McReady, Greg Taylor and Michael Smith - when he made nine changes at Southport on Monday, but tomorrow's XI will be much stronger.[LNB] "We've got to be looking to play a team that is near to the one that plays at Wembley," said Cooper, whose team take on Mansfield Town next weekend. "It might not be identical but it will certainly be close.[LNB] "It's our last chance to test it properly before the game and we want to go out on a high so we will be playing a strong team."[LNB] Rushden will be vying to become the third team to complete a league double over Darlington following Wrexham and Hayes & Yeading.[LNB] The Diamonds won 2-1 at Nene Park last October, a match that Quakers took the lead in and it is one Cooper remembers with no small amount of disappointment.[LNB] He said: "We caved in and gave up, we surrendered. That was probably one of our worst games that night so we owe them a performance.[LNB] "Rushden got into the play-offs last year but the manager, Justin Edinburgh, has had the rug pulled out from under him financially this year. There's been a change of ownership, that never helps, and I think he will just be happy that the season is over and that they are safe in the league.[LNB] "In the last few games we've had a few good results and we want to finish on a high in front of the home supporters and take that into Wembley."[LNB] While Darlington play their 46th and final league game against 11th placed opposition tomorrow, 12th placed Mansfield end the campaign at Bath City.[LNB] Cooper, however, does not believe there would be much to gain from having the Stags watched, and he explained: "I think it would be a waste of time because I think I know what their team will be. I don't think anybody is going to show their hand and we've already watched their last five or six games."[LNB] With Chris Senior unlikely to be available at Wembley, Cooper hopes to come through tomorrow's match without sustaining any more injuries.[LNB] Mansfield will be without striker Paul Connor if he is unable to recover from the calf problem he sustained last week, and Cooper added: "I know he [Connor] tore his calf, it depends how it heals. Chris Senior tore his a week before Connor and he will do well to be fit for Wembley.[LNB] "Chris hasn't done any training yet. It's different warming-up to actually training and playing. As for Paul Connor, I'd like to think he won't play. If it's a torn calf he can't play."[LNB] Darlington last night reported they had sold 7,515 tickets while Mansfield's latest figure is 12,369.[LNB] n Supporters are reminded that Darlington's match tomorrow kicks-off at 5.15pm.[LNB] All games in the division kick-off at the unusual time due to the Tamworth versus Forest Green game being televised on Premier Sports.[LNB]
