On a previous occasion against Telford

By Ray Simpson

On a previous occasion against Telford

[caption id="attachment_27744" align="alignnone" width="960"] Gary Smith[/caption]Quakers have met T...

[caption id="attachment_27744" align="alignnone" width="960"]Gary Smith Gary Smith[/caption]

Quakers have met Telford several times in the past, the most notable from a Quakers' point of view being the third round FA Trophy tie at the Bucks Head on 5th February 2011

Here's the match report from that day

AFC Telford 0 Darlington 3

A second minute goal sent Darlington on their way to a comfortable 3-0 win against plucky Telford at the New Buck’s Head, and booked a place in the last eight of the Trophy for the second time in their history.

There were concerns that this game might be a banana skin for Quakers against a Conference North side that had lost only twice in the league this season, but Quakers’ extra quality shone through – especially in midfielder Aman Verma.

Quakers took the lead inside the second minute, when Liam Hatch’s close range effort was blocked by keeper Ryan Young, and the ball ran loose for Gary Smith to steer into the bottom corner of the net through a crowd of players.

Recent signing John Campbell was denied a second by the keeper, but as the first half progressed, Telford gained in confidence, and Quakers nearly gifted them an equaliser on the half hour.

Dan Burn and keeper Sam Russell both hesitated as a long ball dropped between them on the edge of the area, and Telford striker Andy Brown nipped in,flicked the ball over the keeper, but skipper Ian Miller cleared the ball off the line.

And there was another scare for Quakers at the start of the second half, when Phil Trainer found space inside the six yard box, but Russell reacted well to block his header.

But Telford never really threatened after that, and Quakers took control of the midfield.

And they just about sealed their last eight place on 75 minutes when Burn nodded an Aaron Brown corner into the six yard box where Leicester loanee Verma, with his back to goal, executed a superb bicycle kick into the roof of the net for his third goal in the Trophy this season.

[caption id="attachment_27745" align="alignnone" width="960"]Aman Verma Aman Verma[/caption]

It was all over for Telford when keeper Ryan Young elbowed Liam Hatch in the face after the striker pulled his shirt and was shown the red card, forcing outfield player Andy Brown into goal.

And with sub Nathan Modest causing late problems with his pace, Quakers grabbed a third when the striker broke clear and slotted into the bottom corner.

nathan modest

Darlington manager Mark Cooper said: “We tried to take the pressure off the players in the build up to the game, and the early goal gave us a lot of confidence. The second goal relieved the pressure.

We told them to go out on to the field and play, and they passed the ball around really well. I thought we were comfortable for the whole game. We’ll have anyone now in the draw, as long as it’s not Luton.”