Harrogate RA 2 Darlington 5

DARLINGTON'S two former Harrogate RA players took centre stage for differing reason as Quakers’ won their latest pre-season friendly.

While striker Nathan Cartman scored twice in the first half during a 5-2 win, fellow former Railway player Youhill dislocated his right elbow and may miss the start of the season in three weeks time.

In the winger’s first return to his former club after joining Quakers after the end of last season, Youhill landed awkwardly and after lengthy treatment, during which the winger’s concerned mother came onto the pitch, he was replaced after only 14 minutes of the contest at Station View.

During treatment the elbow was returned to its normal alignment and he returned to Quakers’ bench during the second half.

Youhill is expected to wear a splint or sling for two to three weeks, casting doubt over his involvement in the opening league game at Buxton on August 15, although the player is convinced he will return to action soon.

There was another injury concern in the closing stages when Adam Nowakowski, a former Harrogate Town midfielder, limped from the pitch. But manager Martin Gray was not concerned and reported that the new signing had received “just a kick”.

The injuries were the only disappointment on an otherwise strong Darlington performance that again saw trialists given an opportunity, including Alex Kitchen at right-back.

Kitchen is a contender to replace Gary Brown, who travelled to the match but did not feature, as is former Carlisle United youngster Bradley Staunch, who was given the second 45 minutes by which stage the score was 2-2.

Harrogate went ahead when Stephen Bromley nipped in on 12 minutes to take advantage of hesitancy in the Darlington defence, but Cartman’s cool finish after a smart through-ball by strike-partner David Dowson soon made it 1-1.

Two more goals quickly followed. Within three minutes RA’s Roy Fogerty made it 2-1 after trialist keeper Jack McClaren made a mistake, before Cartman was quickest to react when his penalty, which he won himself after being tripped, rebounded to him after Tom Goodwin had saved his spot-kick.

After a downpour at the break in North Yorkshire, Quakers’ changed almost the entire line-up at the beginning of the second half during which they were much stronger, adding three goals to complete a convincing win against a side they defeated home and away in each of the previous two seasons.

Kevin Burgess flicked home at the near post when meeting Terry Galbraith’s corner, then Tom Portas provided the highlight of the day with a terrific strike. A quick change of feet outside the penalty area was followed by a rifled finish across the penalty area and inside the far post.

Adam Mitchell rounded off the scores with a tap-in after Cartman’s shot had been parried into the winger’s path.

Quakers’ next match is on Monday evening against York City at Heritage Park (7.30pm) when Gray plans to selected a strong side.

Darlington first half: McClaren; Kitchen, A White, McNamee, Watson; Youhill (T White 14), Nowakowski, Gibbons, Mitchell; Cartman, Dowson.

Darlington second half: Jameson; Staunch, Burgess, Hunter, Galbraith; Mitchell, Portas, Turnbull, Thompson; Dowson (Nowakowski 67, (T White 87)), Cartman.

*Wilson Kneeshaw, who has been on trial with Darlington, trained with Gateshead this week and today scored in their pre-season friendly against Hartlepool.