HAVING already scored three goals against Spennymoor Town this season, Darlington striker Graeme Armstrong is eager to continue his good run in tomorrow’s sell-out semi-final.

Tickets for the promotion play-off at Heritage Park sold out yesterday morning, the last few being snapped up after a lengthy queue had formed at Blackwell Meadows.

Some left disappointed, while Spennymoor’s allocation of around 450 tickets were sold by Sunday morning, the highly-anticipated fixture having drawn big interest among fans of the two clubs.

A rivalry has developed between Quakers and Moors since Darlington dropped into the Northern League. Armstrong has three goals against Moors this season, and admits it is a fixture he would love to score in again.

He netted a first-minute winner when the sides met in November at Heritage Park, and back in August he nabbed both goals in a 2-0 Darlington win at the Brewery Field.

“These are the games you want to play in, against the teams around you in the table” said the former Whitby Town forward, who is in his first season with Quakers. “Anybody can score a couple of goals against a New Mills or a Padiham, you want to be the one that scores the big goals in the big games.

“I’ve got 24 goals this season and I’ve always thought that if you’re scoring a goal every other game you’re doing well and I’ve averaged above that so I’m happy with my season. Hopefully I’ll get a few more to finish the season off.”

His 22 league goals puts him fifth in the division’s top scorers list, which is topped by team-mate Nathan Cartman (35), though Armstrong has netted more goals from open play than the three players immediately above him as they have each netted penalties.

His total could be even higher if manager Martin Gray did not regularly substitute him. Of his 41 appearances, he has been subbed 20 times.

Armstrong said: “Martin’s got decisions to make on the sidelines and I’d never argue with him. It is frustrating because you want to be the person to score the winning goal.

“The strikers at the club are strong, it’s probably the strongest element of our side and you’ve got to give other people an opportunity, but when you’re walking off it is frustrating.”

While Darlington have beaten Moors home and away this season, they also did the double over Bamber Bridge, who this evening are at home Northwich Victoria in the other play-off semi.

Armstrong added: “We’ve done well against most of the top sides and when the fans get behind us it makes a big difference. The amount of support we get is brilliant.”

The referee tomorrow will be Craig Dean of Chester-le-Street. He has taken charge of two Quakers matches this season, both home wins, 5-0 against Ossett Town and 2-0 versus Brighouse.