Darlo Diary: We're finding our feet in this league

TWO wins during one Bank Holiday weekend and it seems like Darlo have finally found their feet in this league. After a solid August, here’s hoping that Darlo really kick on in September.

At Colwyn Bay on Saturday, I thought the first 45 minutes was the best we’ve played so far this season. We pressed the ball well, had plenty of pace in the attack and dominated the aerial battle, making the most of a number of quality balls in to the box.

Alan White, starting to look less and less like an emergency forward, didn’t give the Bay’s defenders a moment’s peace. His performance, all things considered, was fantastic. I, like most, was scratching my head before kickoff at his inclusion up front, but the veteran defender left no one disappointed.

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In midfield, Tom Portas is doing his best to look absolutely amazing. Unleashed from his holding role of last season, the ex-Whitby man’s form has been stunning. His runs from midfield, more frequent than last season, have added a new dimension to the Darlington attack.

Two goals for Colwyn Bay flattered them a bit. Their first was a fluke. Their second, however, once again highlighted some of the defensive flaws that Martin Gray needs to iron out.

I can’t believe the manager will be too happy about his team’s defending so far this season. Indeed, Blyth’s goal on Monday was also the result of some pretty sloppy defending. Hopefully, a bit more time on the training ground this month will result in a less charitable approach from the Darlo back line.

On the plus side, Gray got his substitutions against Blyth right on the money. With Graeme Armstrong and Nathan Cartman struggling to impose themselves on the Blyth defence, White was once again relied upon to offer a different approach to the attack.

While Blyth might feel they deserved something from the game, White, along with fellow subs David Dowson and Leon Scott, added an intensity to Darlo’s game that Blyth simply couldn’t handle.

Stephen Thompson had a good game at Colwyn Bay and was following it up against Blyth in patches, a shift to the middle of the park alongside White and Dowson saw the talismanic forward come in to his own. For most of the second half, he looked like the Thommo of a couple of years ago. It was a pleasure to watch.

Thompson’s volleyed goal was reward for both player and team for their approach to getting back in the game. Such was his performance, he deserved a bit of luck when his miskick inadvertently set up White for the winner. By the way, what a finish.

Considering most in the league seem to fawn over Blyth, I thought Darlo dealt with them reasonably well. We allowed the visitors to establish themselves either side of the break, but the manner in which we wrestled the momentum back was excellent.

I often think under Gray we’ve struggled when going behind but, like the playoff semi-final against Spennymoor, once Darlo got the bit between their teeth, there was no looking back.

Saturday sees us once again travel to the outer-reaches of the Northern Premier League with a visit to Halesowen Town. The hosts have had a mixed start to the season, but won two of their three home matches including a 2-0 win over Workington.

If we play to the level seen over the last couple of games, there’s no reason why we can’t come away from the West Midlands with another three points.