Result: United 5-2 Darlington
Scorers: Hyde (38 pen), Richards (45), McGleish (55), Thompson (73), Shaw (o.g. 82, United); Naylor (28), Roberts (84, Darlington)
Att: 2509
United line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph (Benjamin 76), Granville, Thompson, Craddock, Raynor, Richards, Hyde, McGleish (Hayes 87), Barnwell, Beall.
Sub not used: Wanless.
Ben Mynott's Dad's report:
Overall a strong performance going forward, especially in the 2nd half. Defence looked vulnerable to breaks from a very mobile Darlington front line. Barrett was solid with reliable handling of a number of long shots that came his way and one excellent tip over in the second half.
Lucky to be ahead at half time. Darlington scored first with a messy scrambled goal after our defence failed to clear and seemed to get in each others way. Richards was tripped near the edge of penalty area and goal line and Micah coolly slotted home the penalty. Then in the 45th minute plus a lot Richards seized on a poor goal kick, held off his defender with his strength and slid the ball under the keeper, who seemed to be slow to get down to block the shot.
Darlington had looked very dangerous in the first half. Jody must take much of the blame as he looked to be trying to play sweeper behind a back two of Thommo and Danny G! This gave their front players more space and kept them onside. They were able to turn him with ease. Barnwell is no wing back and failed to have an impact in attack or defence. Mattie was exciting and adventurous at times but was guilty of being AWOL at times, leaving us exposed on the right. At times it really did seem like we had a two man defence, often helped out by Paulie Raynor and Micah Hyde.
Micah unveiled his new "banana" boots (ie yellow all over!). Once again he was a class act, composed and imaginative. After the game, TT raved over his performance and said he has the ability to get to the top flight. I agree! Paulie sat in front of the back three with Billy and Micah either side. These two worked hard but Billy was often beaten for half a yard of pace. I thought Paulie played OK (his corners were excellent) but Mandy thought he was our worst player.
Richards and McGleish had good games up front and Thommo (especially) and DG had good games at the centre of defence. "Fash" came on for Joseph for approx 15-20 mins and was as entertaining as usual. The fans love him, though they call him Bruno. He was OK too. Hayes was on for about 6 mins for Scott M at the end - no time to earn a rating.
Goal 3 - good move on right, Raynor ball to Richards who cuts in to the bye line and delivers inch perfect cross for Scott to hang in the air and head past the keeper.
Goal 4 - thundering header from a corner by MOM Thommo, right into top corner. He had gone close earlier with a similar effort.
Goal 5 - good work on right again, cullminating in an excellent cross by Billy, which Shaw turned into his own net. Morally a goal for Scott because he would have buried it if Shaw had not intervened.
Darlington goal 2 - sub Roberts tormented defence, twisting and turning in lots of space before hitting a shot into the far corner.
I made Thommo MOM because I cannot keep giving it to Micah! Richards and McGleish also earn good marks. I have to resort to halves this time in the ratings:
Barrett 8, Joseph 6, Thommo 9, Jody 4, Granville 8, Barnwell 3 (at least Jody was more involved!), Beall 7, Raynor 7, Hyde 9, McGleish 8.5, Richards 8.5, Benjamin 7.
Ben
With thanks to Ben Mynott for the report.