Quakers show a steely resolve (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Quakers show a steely resolve

9:00am Monday 27th August 2012 in Sport By Craig Stoddart, Deputy Sports Editor

Cold, wet and windy and at a ground described by Consett's own chairman in his programme notes as being "old and outdated", the scene was set for a chastening reminder of how far Darlington have fallen.

After two games at the comparatively resplendent Heritage Park, they found themselves at one of football's outposts, staring a reality check in the face in the form of a team that toppled big-spending Celtic Nation last week.

The novelty of being in the Northern League could have quickly been washed away at a sodden Belle Vue, where the bulk of the supporters sheltered from the torrential rain in the single main stand.

Quakers fans boosted Saturday's attendance to 748 - Consett's average last season was 120 - and they continue to enjoy the Northern League experience after another 3-0 Darlington win.

Having also seen off Bishop Auckland (3-1) and Marske (3-0), three games in and it's nine goals and nine points for Quakers, who had not begun a campaign with three successive league wins since 1999-2000, when Martin Gray was in midfield.

He said: "I thought the attitude of the players was great. We're not always going to play well, but you've got to make sure that you always work hard and they've done that. We've demanded it from day one.

"The conditions weren't great, but look at Sunderland, their game was off. This is the Northern League so you've just got to get on with it.

"This is where we are and the atmosphere among the fans was unbelievable. You could hear all the fans singing and they've not had that kind of atmosphere at a game for years.

"Every game is effectively a home game because we're not going past Scotch Corner every other Saturday, so everybody can jump in the car and come to see us."

The performance was the most comfortable of Quakers' three games so far. Consett rarely caught sight of keeper Jack Norton, an offside 'goal' by Calvin Smith just before half-time being their most noteworthy moment.

That came with Darlington already 2-0 up thanks to a strong start that promised even more goals.

Winger Arjun Purewal crowned his first start with a looping header from a Steven Johnson delivery on 12 minutes, and it was soon 2-0, with Purewal again involved.

He played Chris Emms into the penalty area and he pulled the ball back for Shaun Reay to coolly slot home his third goal in as many games.

Johnson blazed an effort over and then Consett defender David Scorer made a fine block tackle on the lively striker to keep the scoreline down, but a third Darlington goal always looked likely.

It should have arrived soon after the restart when Marc Ellison was chopped down in the penalty area by keeper Peter Jameson, but, incredibly, the Quakers midfielder was booked for diving.

It was not to matter as Johnson, after being played in by Purewal, blasted into the net from eight yards and the Darlington-born forward, pointing at the Quakers crest on his shirt, raced over to the supporters, who have quickly found a new hero.

"He's a Darlington lad through and through and the goal, again, meant so much to him," said Gray.

"We could have got more if I'm being greedy. But you'd take a 3-0 at Consett because it's a tough place to come. They're a good side and they'll win many a match this season, so I'm relieved to get this fixture out of the way early in the season.

"Consett are a top-six side and they'll be up there at the end of the season. People might look at it and see that Darlington's won again, but it's not easy, it doesn't just happen."

Consett boss Kenny Lindhoe was left disappointed with his side and had no complaints with the outcome.

"I didn't think we were at the races," he admitted. "Credit to Darlington, they came out strongly and played very well. They had good movement and good passing and that was what let us down, our passing wasn't up to the mark and we didn't work hard enough.

"We played very well the other night against Celtic Nation. We've put a new squad together and hopefully things are on the up, but I was expecting a better performance.

"We created a few half chances in the second half, but Jack Norton didn't have a save to make."

Consett and Marske both finished last season in the bottom half of the table, so Friday's visit of Dunston, who were third, may offer a more accurate gauge of Darlington's promotion chances.