HARDY RETURN HAUNTS BUCKS
Striker on target against his old club
THE first pre-season game for both clubs came early but nonetheless provided ample entertainment for the fans – with Liam Hardy stealing the show.
In a match arranged as part of Hardy’s transfer to Darlington in February, the Quakers, with a clutch of new signings, fielded the more experienced side in each half but Buxton could feel satisfied with their two new signings to date and the performance of a number of their young trialists.
The Quakers fielded three new faces and Lewis Nightingale, from Farsley Celtic, was prominent from the outset as the visitors developed their passing game on a billiard table surface, despite the unwelcome but frequent sharp rain squalls.
Jordan Watson (ex-Blyth) also looked a sound acquisition but it was impressive Buxton newcomer Lee Bennett, from Shaw Lane, who gave the hosts a 12th-minute lead.
Trialist Adam Porritt played a ball in from the right and after keeper Peter Jameson had half saved Bennett’s shot, the striker regained possession to score coolly.
Fifteen minutes later Hardy showed the poacher’s instinct that had earned him his transfer by fastening on to a loose ball to net from close-range.
His side was enjoying a majority of possession but a sound home rearguard worked so effectively that new keeper Jan Budtz, from Gainsborough Trinity, had comparatively little to do.
Buxton looked dangerous on the counter and Bennett went close by forcing the keeper into a full-stretch dive, while late in the first half Jamie Green’s surging run across the penalty area set up a good opening for Alastair Taylor but his shot missed the target.
Early in the second half the same player had an even better chance but, after rounding Jameson with the net gaping, he pulled up in expectation of a penalty award only to find a free-kick given outside the box.
Green’s kick narrowly cleared the goal but in the 55th minute, at the other end, Steve Thompson’s expertly placed 20-yard free-kick gave his side the lead.
Darlington had to wait until the 89th minute for their third goal, shot home by Adam Mitchell.
Both managers expressed themselves very pleased with the workout.
For the Bucks, Martin McIntosh thanked the visitors for the way in which they had approached the fixture while Quakers manager Martin Gray thought his men had moved the ball well and had shown sound decision-making.
However, both would have concerns regarding nasty facial cuts suffered by Buxton’s Greg Young and Darlington’s Gary Brown.
STAR MAN: Liam Hardy (Darlington) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★