Source: Northern_Echo
Poor Darlington defeated at Tamworth
Darlington suffered their first loss of the season today when they conceded a late penalty at Tamworth.[LNB] Quakers were heading for a goalless draw after an uninspiring performance in which the hosts had done all the pressing and perhaps considered themselves unlucky not be ahead earlier in the game.[LNB] Before the break they saw plenty of the ball at The Lamb, not allowing Darlington to settle, and they forced keeper Sam Russell into a magnificent save.[LNB] Striker Patterson latched on to a ball over the top and his shot from an angle was pushed wide by the keeper, though by that stage Darlington had created an opportunity of their own that Ryan Bowman wasted.[LNB] After good build-up involving James Walshaw and Liam Hatch, Kris Taylor's shot towards the far post was turned goalwards from six yards, but Bowman's effort was straight at the Tamworth keeper who knew very little about it.[LNB] That proved to be a rare forway forward as Darlington continued to disappoint, though Russell had few saves to make.[LNB] Manager Mark Cooper demonstrated his frustration when, five minutes before the break, he hauled off Bowman, replaced him with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and switched formation.[LNB] That was no particularly a comment on Bowman's contribution, more so Cooper's desire to switch formation as he aimed to kickstart his sluggish side.[LNB] After Darlington were sent out for the second half five minutes early, after the restart there was a marginal improvement during which Walshaw believed he should have been awarded a penalty.[LNB] But the referee waved play on after the challenge by Paul Green, and soon Tamworth's supremacy returned.[LNB] They created a flurry of chances, first Patterson turned past Graeme Lee 22 yards out, but scuffed his shot which bobbled towards Russell, then right-back Richard Tait got into area after a one-two with Christie, but his low blasted effort cannoned off Lee's knee.[LNB] Patterson then accidentally cleared a Christie shot off the goal-line after the substitute had received the ball from Daniel Bradley on the byline.[LNB] The goal that the hosts had been threatening came with seven minutes to play with Ben Purkiss heavily involved.[LNB] The Darlington right-back, on loan from Oxford, attempted to chest down the ball and in trying to regain possession bundled Patterson over in the box. He was booked for his efforts and did not protest.[LNB] Last season at The Lamb Russell saved a penalty, taken by Alex Rodman, but this time Christie was on spot-kick duty and he smashed his effort low into the net.[LNB] The goal had been coming and the victory ample reward for the hosts who deserved all three points. Darlington know they must do better when they host Alfreton on Tuesday evening.[LNB] Tamworth (4-4-2): Hedge; Tait, Francis, Green, Barrow; Cain (Smith 85), Bradley, McDonald, Mills (Thomas 65); Shariff (Christie 58), Patterson. Subs (not used): Collister (gk), St Aimie[LNB] Goal: Christie (83pen, 1-0)[LNB] Booking: Green (81, foul)[LNB] Darlington (4-3-3): Russell; Purkiss, Miller, Lee,G Taylor; Chandler (McReady 61), Atkinson, K Taylor; Bowman, Hatch (M Smith 71), Walshaw. Subs (not used): Pocklington (gk), Bridge-Wilkinson, Campbell[LNB] Goals: None[LNB] Bookings: Lee (42, foul), Walshaw (47, foul), Purkiss (83, foul)[LNB] Referee: J Simpson (Lancashire)[LNB] Attendance: 977 (193 away fans)[LNB]
