Darlo 1 - 1 Swans

The game easily the most enticing of the 3rd division today, started quite well with plenty of good football, played on the ground.On 10 mins in after some good play from Cusack, Price crossed to Alsop who forced a great save from the Darlo keeper. Then 2 mins later Price was put through one on one with the keeper put it straight into the keepers arms. Darlingtons midfield strength then started to show, with every 50-50 ball one by them for the next 10 mins, this dominance showed when a poorly cleared ball was pushed back into the box for Flabbiadini to flap the ball well wide. The Swans then started to push more when on 23 mins a Thomas freekick gave Smithy a heading chance to cross the goal mouth, but Price flashed the ball over the bar. Then on 27 mins Darlington scored. A deep ball into the Swans left corner was crossed high into the Swans goalline by Duffy and the ball landed in the net. Roger had a flap at it but the physical presence of old Flabbiadini forced the goal. Ironically if any team deserved to be 1-0 up it was us!!! but after last Friday I wasn't complaining. The rest of the first half saw the Swans push and Darlington play on the break when in injury time a Steve Jones cross was flashed post the post by the Darlo defender Liddel. Halftime The Second Half started quite physical with some dodgy tackles flying in from both sides. One of which caused the Swans equaliser. A Howard freekick crossed deep into the Darlo box was headed into the corner of the goal by Cusack. The Jack Army went mad with "We are top of the league!" possibly a little premature. The pressure kept on from the Swans nearly got them a second, A Bird flick through to Alsop left him an open shot, which was rocketing into the top corner until the the keeper got a finger to it. On 70 mins, old Falbio teased a curler which looked to just be curling into the goal until Steve Jones flicked ball from off the line. The game went stagnant for the last 20 mins with Darlo trying to get the winner but not getting close due to some sterling work by All the defence. But in the last minute a free for all goal mouth scramble was cleared by Boundy. Game over we are top of the league! Team Freestone 6 hardly troubled but gave Darlo their goal. S Jones 8 closed down the right wing effectively. Smith and Bound 8 Usual stunning performance. Howard 6 gave some needless balls away in dangerous areas but generally won the ball back 2 seconds later. Coates 9 MOM ran their left hand side ragged, created most of the chances Thomas 8 Usual physical presence, won some important balls Cusack 8 Controlled the game well Price 7 missed some sitters but troubled with his pace Turd 7 Tried to play Watkins supporting role but not to the same effectiveness Alsop 7 Worked hard as usual and unlucky not to score. All in all a bloody good day out. Gotta go b4 the battery dies in my laptop.

Photo: Action Images

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