NORTHERN LEAGUE DIVISION TWO
loanee in between the sticks.
Main’s influence was the main threat throughout the opening 45, turning provider on a couple of occasions. Firstly, it was a delightful dink over the defence for Cameron Salkeld to run onto, but his effort trickled wide – as did Ben Hedley’s in the latter stage after he cut inside from the right.
After the interval the pressure continued, and it wouldn’t be long until Darlington got their just reward when Scott Barrow curled a free kick from the left towards the back post where Jake Lawlor lay in wait to power his header home to open the scoring.
Often not one to be left out where goals are involved, there was seldom a seat in use as Aidan Rutledge delivered a piece of magic to get the crowd on their feet. Shifting inside onto his left foot, the Gateshead loanee smashed home an unsaveable effort from the edge of the area straight into the top corner. Farsley made a late surge to secure a point, managing to half the deficit to begin to inspire a potential comeback. A cross was half-cleared and bounced invitingly for Ryan Watson to hit – his half-volleyed effort was deflected into the path of Ben Atkinson who rolled his effort beyond Matty Young to silence the crowd.
The hopes were short-lived though as Darlo caught them on the counter, Rutledge was found running in acres of space and forced Leban into action. Another effort was then headed off the line by Isaac Assenso, but only into the path of Main who got his well-deserved goal to re-extend the lead to two.
DARLINGTON: Young, Hedley (Griffiths), Platt, Lees, Lawlor, Main, Hatfield, Barrow, Rutledge, Salkeld (Liddle), Cornish (Rivers) Subs: Nelson, Curry
FARSLEY: Leban, Sheridan, Carroll, Evans (Leverest), Watson, Assenso, B. Atkinson, Branson, Donaldson, Stevenson (Silva), Coulson Subs: Atkinson, Allen
BLYTH Town manager Michael Connor set his sights on more success after his side were crowned champions of Division Two after securing all three points in their visit to play-off contenders Horden CW.
Michael Connor’s men travelled to Welfare Park knowing a point would see them secure the title and earn promotion into Division One – but they produced a dominant display to romp to the points and allow the celebrations to get underway.
A Dan Wilson penalty put Town in front just after the midway point of the first half and second-half strikes from Louis Calvert, Evan Fogarty and Brandon Slater saw the Northumberland outfit clinch their promotion.
Manager Michael Connor has already revealed the planning process for the new season is underway as he gave an insight into the ambitions held at Gateway Park.
He said: “We have already started looking at options, what do we need to take us to the next level. We are looking at a 3G pitch and the people behind us want to keep pushing on.”
Two goals from James Fairley proved to be the inspiration for Easington Colliery’s 3-2 win at Newcastle University. It was the hosts that looked set to disrupt the Colliers push for the play-offs as Ryan Redford and Tom Iverson put them in control by the midway point of the first-half - but the visitors hit back and took the points thanks to Fairley’s double and a Matthew Weirs effort.
Josh Larkin matched Fairley’s achievement as he scored twice in Yarm and Eaglescliffe’s 3-1 home win against Brandon United. Haani Rahman also netted for Yarm as a late penalty from Samuel Peat was a consolation for Brandon on a day when they were deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player.