VICTORIOUS Martin Gray paid tribute to Darlington’s attacking play after yesterday’s convincing win over Colwyn Bay.
Quakers were in charge throughout at Heritage Park against the lowly opposition, winning 3-0, though they had to wait until a penalty early in the second half to open the scoring.
Terry Galbraith sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the spot and thereafter it was a matter of how many Darlington would net in their first victory of 2016, though they remain sixth, Kevin Burgess adding two further goals.
“Our front players and our midfield were probing all game,” said Gray. “It was really good to see their attacking play and their end product was really good from the right areas.
“People were unselfish, people were putting balls in for their team-mates to get tap-ins instead of shooting.
“Thompson and Mitchell were getting to the byline and pulling balls, so it wasn’t all to do with set-pieces, we were creative.
“It was important after the midweek game when we didn’t get maximum points that we got back to winning ways and got a clean sheet.”
- MATCH REPORT: Darlington 3 Colwyn Bay 0
- PHOTO GALLERY: Darlington 3 Colwyn Bay 0
- League rivals feel frustrated about Darlington's suspended points deduction
Adam Mitchell hit the crossbar early on and a Leon Scott shot struck the post inside the first 45 minutes, and after a goalless first half there could have been concerns that second-bottom Colwyn Bay would gain a foothold in the contest.
Gray remained confident, however, saying: “We were creating chances and that was the most important thing.
“We hit the woodwork twice and had one cleared off the line in the first half, so we felt that if we kept creating chances with the really positive play we had then a goal was always going to come.
“They didn’t really threaten us and there wasn’t an awful lot to defend from set-plays. I don’t think they had an awful lot of corners, but I don’t think we let anyone run off the shoulder.
“Our two centre-backs were solid, so too were or two full-backs.”
Darlington do not have a game in midweek, but next weekend’s trip to Marine signals the beginning of a lengthy period when Quakers will regularly play twice a week, something that does not phase the manager.
“I’m looking forward to it, I can’t wait, we need the games on,” he said.
“We need some Saturday-Tuesdays and everybody else is in the same boat, so we’re really looking forward to it.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here