Source: Northern_Echo
Quakers back in action after a winter break
AFTER three successive postponements, Darlington play their first game for more than a fortnight this evening.[LNB] Over two weeks since their last match an FA Cup defeat to York City at The Northern Echo Arena Darlington take on Tamworth in the FA Trophy.[LNB] The fixture was scheduled for Saturday, but quickly rearranged when it had to be postponed due to a frozen pitch.[LNB] Quakers have not played in the FA Trophy since they were last in the Conference, in 1989-90, when a shock 1-0 defeat at Leek Town in the quarter- finals scuppered Wembley hopes.[LNB] Two decades on and Darlington have their sights set on reaching the national stadium, a prospect which can unite the whole town'.[LNB] So says assistant manager Richard Dryden: In the Trophy you are five games from the final, so if you win a few all of a sudden you are playing at Wembley.[LNB] We were disappointed to be dumped out of the FA Cup, now we are looking at the Trophy.[LNB] A run would give everyone a lift. Not just the club, but hopefully the whole town. We have been told time and time again that it has been poor for the last two seasons. But there has been a lot of good things going on at the club since then.[LNB] To have a day out at Wembley would be huge for the town. No one would take notice until the semis or the final, but then the whole town would be buzzing.[LNB] Tamworth are 19th in the Blue Square Bet Premier and are making their second visit to the Arena in as many months after losing 1-0 in November.[LNB] Having lost twice and drawn with Crawley in the three games since, that win over Tamworth stands as 11th placed Quakers' most recent victory and Dryden added: I hope we can repeat it.[LNB] But if you look at the league anyone is beating anyone.[LNB] There are 1-0s, 5-0s and 7- 0s. There's a few eyebrows raised every week by some results.'' Paul Arnison is unavailable as he serves a one-match suspension while the only injuries are long-term absentees Gareth Waite and Paul Terry.[LNB] After this evening Darlington have three more league fixtures to play they are at Cambridge United on Saturday before the New Year when Quakers expect to be altering their squad.[LNB] January could be a big month, admitted Dryden.[LNB] We have already started to look at things.[LNB] There might be few players coming in and there might be a few leaving on loan. Hopefully Joe Clarke will be going for a month to Solihull.[LNB] Darlington meet Arsenal in their rearranged FA Youth Cup tie tonight (ko 7pm).[LNB] The game, at Barnet's Underhill Stadium, was postponed two weeks ago.[LNB] Quakers used Aston Villa's training facilities yesterday en route to London where they stayed overnight after their hotel stay was paid for following a fundraising drive that included a bucket collection and donations from supporters.[LNB] Paul Prior, who sponsors the club's under-15s team, paid £750 to ensure the youth team would not have to travel on the day of the game.[LNB] The third round tie is Quakers' reward for winning 4-0 at Huddersfield Town, while in the first round Craig Liddle's side beat Accrington Stanley.[LNB]
