WE’VE GOT THE WRIGHT STUFF
PROUD Tommy Wright heaped praise on his Darlington heroes as they continued their recent revival with a comprehensive victory over north-east rivals Blyth Spartans.
After a sticky first couple of months as boss, Wright has now guided the Quakers up to 15th in the table courtesy of two draws and two wins from the last four matches.
And this latest victory was as comfortable as they get as Stephen Thompson’s penalty in first-half injury-time was followed by second-half strikes from Reece Styche and Dave Syers.
“The lads were brilliant,” beamed Wright after his side claimed a first clean sheet in 20 matches. “From the first whistle they continued the momentum they had from last Saturday’s win at Leamington. I challenged them to do it.
“They were up against a good team, it was a local derby, I told them to go and put a performance on for the fans and they did. Man for man they were outstanding and I couldn’t be prouder.” Blyth, however, more than played their part in an even first half with Darlington keeper Aynsley Pears making the only real save of note to deny Michael Liddle. That was, however, until a minute into time added on for the first half when Ryan Hutchinson tripped Styche and up stepped Thompson to smash the ball home from the penalty spot. Styche himself got in on the act 12 minutes into the second half when James Caton pulled the ball back from the byline and Styche fired home his ninth goal in ten games. Blyth boss Alun Armstrong responded by making a couple of substitutions and a tactical switch, but it was to no avail when Dave Syers powered home a header for number three 17 minutes from time. In contrast to their resurgent hosts, Armstrong’s side have now lost 13 of their 28 league games, winning only once in eight matches. “I thought the first half was even and the penalty killed us,” he said. “Was it a penalty? I don’t know, but it was poor defending before that. “I thought the second half started alright, and then we give a free-kick away. You’ve got to be hard to beat and at this moment in time we’re not. They’re not helping each other out. “They’re a great group of players, but they’re too nice.”
STAR MAN: Stephen Thompson (Darlington) ENTERTAINMENT: