Fourth successive away win for Quakers
By Ray Simpson
Goals by Erico and Cams
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Alfreton 0 Darlington 2
Sousa 11 mins, 0-1, Campbell 82 mins, 0-2
Quakers recorded their fourth successive away win in league and FA Cup with a superb 2-0 win at the Impact Arena.
The game was a contrast of styles: Quakers kept the ball down and used their pace and movement, Alfreton were more direct with high balls and long throws into the Darlington box.
And in the second half when the rain and wind picked up and blew into their faces, Quakers defended well.
The result puts us 11th in the table, with a chance to improve that position when Bradford PA visit Blackwell Meadows on Tuesday.
https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/tables?table_id=d-60912
Quakers nearly scored in the opening minute. Adam Campbell crossed to the far post where Dan Maguire had a shot blocked at close range by the keeper, and when the ball came out, Will Hatfield hit the crossbar from the edge of the area.
Erico Sousa then made a couple of good runs down the right, the second of which saw him win a corner, which came to nothing.
Quakers went ahead on 11 minutes. Joe Wheatley found Tony McMahon on the overlap and he drove the ball into the six yard box where it was spilled by the keeper, and Erico Sousa tapped in – his third goal for the club.
Quakers then put another patient passing move together, and ended with Watson’s cross being glanced wide by Maguire.
Alfreton had a chance when Josh Clackstone crossed from the right for Conor Branson to head wide from ten yards.
Quakers nearly went 2-0 up on 28 minutes. A huge free kick by Melvin Minter from well inside his own half fell for McMahon, who beat a defender and had a shot saved by the keeper for a corner.
Quakers continued to probe for an opening in the Alfreton defence with some good football, without really creating a clear chance.
Quakers were forced into a sub on 42 minutes when Will Hatfield limped off and was replaced by Tyrone O’Neill, which meant that Sean Reid dropped deeper.
Half time
Alfreton 0 Darlington 1
Alfreton nearly levelled at the start of the second half, Day picked the ball up 25 yards out, beat a man, and curled the ball towards goal, and Minter saved at the second attempt.
But at the other end, Maguire slipped in O’Neill, but the keeper saved at his feet.
Maguire then controlled a through ball on his chest 25 yards out and fired straight at Willis.
Wheatley then sent Sousa running through on the right, spotted the keeper off his line and chipped him, but the ball went wide of the far post.
Willis then made a great save on 61 minutes when Sousa put O’Neill through and he hit a right foot shot that the keeper saved at full stretch.
Quakers were hoping at this point that their missed chances wouldn't cost them.
At the other end, Minter made a good save from a low shot by sub Walker.
Alfreton piled on the pressure in the last fifteen minutes, and Watson had to clear off the line.
Quakers broke away and scored the second on 82 minutes. Campbell broke up an Alfreton attack midway inside his own half and sent Sousa up the right. Sousa took on the Alfreton defence and set up the supporting Campbell, who drove the ball home for his fifth of the season
Final:
Alfreton 0 Darlington 2
Here are the highlights from the league website:
https://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/match-info/match-centre/1-6406283
Quakers:
Minter, McMahon, Laing, Atkinson, Watson, Hatfield (sub O’Neill 42), Wheatley, Reid, Maguire (sub Rivers 83) Sousa (Hudson 90+2), Campbell
Subs: Hedley, Saltmer
Booking: Maguire
Alfreton
Willis, Clackstone, Fox, Branson, Lees (sub Walker 58), Jones, Smith, Bradley, Day, Reeves, Atkinson (sub Johnson 72)
Subs: Lund, Unwin-Marris, Clarke
Booking: Day
