DARLINGTON face a test of their promotion credentials today when they take on Blyth Spartans, a team also expected to challenge at the top end of the table.
Blyth are unbeaten having started the season with four wins and a draw, and Quakers captain Kevin Burgess knows what to expect from the Northumberland club.
He faced them several times in his seven seasons at Whitby Town and pinpointed attacker Robbie Dale as one to watch this afternoon at Heritage Park (3pm).
“He’s a big awkward lad and he scores important goals,” said Burgess, who scored his second goal of the season in Saturday’s win at Colwyn Bay.
“He was player of the year out of the whole division last season, so he’ll be one to watch and one we’ll be looking to try and control.”
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Dale, who plays on the left so will face right-back Lewis Gibbons, scored against Darlington last season in the FA Cup, when Blyth won a replay 3-0. The first game ended 0-0 at Heritage Park after Terry Galbraith saw a penalty saved.
Spartans went on to enjoy a run in the competition that saw them overcome Hartlepool United live on BBC television.
Dan Maguire is also capable of causing Quakers problems. The highly-rated youngster was recruited by National League FC Halifax in the summer, but returned to Blyth due to work commitments.
Burgess added: “They’re a strong team and they know how to win in this league. They should’ve gone up last season, they just missed out on the play-offs by one point but for me they were the strongest team I played against.
“It’s a derby game, we’re at home and we’re expected to win every game at home. We’re going into it wanting another three points.”
Burgess’ goal on Saturday put Quakers on course for a 3-0 half-time lead, the final score being 4-2 after the Welsh hosts pegged back Darlington.
The result means Martin Gray’s side have conceded two goals in each of their three games this term, a disappointment to Burgess, but he was pleased with his contribution at the other end.
He said: “When I was at the play-off games last season I noticed Thommo and Tez whipping the ball in from wide. I was thinking then that if I join Darlington I’ll be disappointed not to get at least five goals.
“We score goals at set-pieces, I’m a big lad and I want to get at least five. Now I’m thinking ten!”
Saturday’s result came four days after losing 2-1 at Workington, while Darlington also lost on the opening day of the season at Buxton.
Burgess added: “After getting beat twice in a row away from home, we want to come here and keep it tight. The way we played, the chance was there to get five, six or seven goals.
“I’m disappointed to get conceded again. We wanted a clean sheet, but the two goals were sloppy. We need to cut that out of our game and once we do that we’ll not be far away from being in the top five.
“I agree with what Brian Atkinson said last week, we could easily have won the first four games. So we could’ve been looking at five wins now, it’s fine margins and it determines where you are in the league.”
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