QUAKIN’ IN THEIR BOOTS!
High-flying Bucks are left stunned by Wright’s deadly Darlo
AFC Telford United boss Gavin Cowan said his team were punished for underestimating depleted Darlington, who inflicted a first defeat of the season on the Bucks.
In comparison to secondtop Telford, Quakers had won only once and were without key players Terry Galbraith, Simon Ainge and Reece Styche, but Tommy Wright’s team fully deserved a 3-0 win that lifts them two places to 16th.
Goals by Jordan Nicholson, Harvey Saunders and Stephen Thompson sealed a first home since March for Quakers, leaving Cowan frustrated with his team.
He said: “We’re extremely disappointed because we felt that we had everything needed to come here and get three points.
“What you can’t do is underestimate teams and not show application and a good attitude.
“The lads just didn’t apply themselves as they have done in the last eight games. Maybe I have to take some responsibility for praising them too much.
“Technically there should only have been one winner, but credit to Darlington because they seemed to have more desire and it pains me to say that.”
Darlington maintained a high tempo from early on and had a handful of chances before taking the lead that their pressure merited on 35 minutes.
Luke Trotman exchanged passes with Joe Wheatley and passed to Stephen Thompson, who spotted Nicholson in the centre of the penalty area. He took a touch before firing in a low shot from around 18 yards.
Quakers should have doubled their lead before the breakbut twice hit the woodwork.
Saunders hit the bar with a header after meeting Ben O’Hanlon’s left-wing cross, and a Dave Syers shot rebounded off the post into the hands of goalkeeper Andy Wycherley, who came on at half time for Max Bramley.
In the closing stages the scoreline became more
representative of the game, first when Saunders made it 2-0 on 78 minutes.
He kept his cool to lob Wycherley, and in the final minute Wycherley conceded a penalty by tripping Nicholson, Thompson stepping up to blast home from the spot.
A fortnight ago Quakers were booed off after losing 3-0 to Altrincham, but their fans cheered their team off after this result and Wright said: “This win has been coming and should’ve happened a few weeks ago.
“There’s been lots of questions thrown about, but I knew that performance has been coming
“The squad is stretched and we’re missing talisman players.
“We didn’t have leaders but we had so much energy.” STAR MAN: L Hughes (Darlington) ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★