Another three goals and another three points for Quakers (From Darlington and Stockton Times)

Another three goals and another three points for Quakers

4:53pm Saturday 25th August 2012 in Darlington FC By Craig Stoddart, Deputy Sports Editor

Consett 0 Darlington 3

Darlington maintained their strong start to the season as they strolled to their third successive win today at Consett.

Having put three goals past both Bishop Auckland and Marske United in the last week, Quakers did it again today at a sodden Belle Vue Park where rain fell almost throughout.

But the game was never in doubt as the pitch did well to withstand so much rainfall and Darlington were clearly happy with conditions as they marched into the lead.

They were 2-0 up after 23 minutes during a blistering start amid torrential rain at Belle Vue Park.

Amar Purewal made his first start and he marked the occasion by heading home the first goal, connecting with a Steven Johnson cross after Chris Emms’ free-kick into the penalty are hadn’t been cleared sufficiently.

That was on 12 minutes and it was not long before Quakers added a second, this time through Shaun Reay.

He maintained his record of scoring in each of Darlington’s three goals so far by calmly passing the ball into the net after Purewal and Emms exchanged passes with the latter breaking into the penalty area and pulling the ball back.

More goals were there for the taking, but the closest came to another before the break was through Johnson who blazed over after turning Consett defender David Scorer inside out.

Quakers’ tempo dropped, allowing Consett a sight of goal.

They had a goal ruled out for offside when former Hartlepool striker Michael Mackay whipped in a free-kick that keeper Jack Norton pawed away, allowing Calvin Smith to convert the loose ball. But a linesman’s flag was raised.

Centre-back Arjun Purewal execited a fine block tackle on Mackay deep inside Darlington’s penalty area and that was as good as it got for Consett until Darlington made it 3-0.

Just after the hour Amar Purewal tried to find an opening on the edge of the penalty area, played the ball into Johnson and he rifled home his second goal this week.

The Darlington-born forward, making his first start in place of the unavailable David Dowson, celebrated by running towards the Quakers’ fans and pointing the crest on his shirt.

Consett did not throw in the white towel, though, with Andrew Cuthbertson trying his luck from long range. However, the effort was over, meaning Norton was not called into action as was the case for much of the second half.

With ten minutes to play Danny Mellanby was sent on for Darlington, replacing Johnson who received a huge ovation from the travelling fans.
Quakers are next in action on Friday evening at Heritage Park against Dunston while Consett travel to Durham City on Monday.