Cooper forced into action for Quakers

Staines Town 0 Darlington 1 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. 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. 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. 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. He said: "It's crazy I've never seen anything like it. "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. "We'll try and get some trialists in for the game against Brackley to give us a few more options. "John felt his groin first half so we took him off. If there's any doubt we'll not risk him against Brackley." 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. "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. "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." The breakthrough goal came 19 minutes in and it was a lovely move between the front trio of Wright, Campbell and James Walshaw. 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. 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. 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. 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. The second half was much of the same, with Quakers enjoying the best chances, limiting their hosts to few opportunities. Then, in the 70th minute on came Cooper, and barely three minutes after his introduction, he almost got himself on the score sheet. 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. Substitute Hatch then missed a great chance when the ball fell to him at the back post, but his effort went well over. 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. He said: "Hatchy blocked it on the line and then he heads it straight to the keeper. "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. "I didn't expect to come on, but looks like I'll be in the squad on Wednesday." 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).

Source: Northern_Echo