Bradford Park Avenue 1 Darlington 2

DARLINGTON are now focused on the season’s big kick-off after completing their pre-season programme with a performance that offered manager Colin Todd plenty of encouragement.

Quakers overcame Bradford Park Avenue 2-1 with goals from Lee Thorpe and Nigerian striker Olushola Aganun Martins who has joined on trial.

He has told Todd he is a relative of former Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins and played for the first 45 minutes as one of four trialists.

Also given a run-out were former Hartlepool defender Darren Williams, ex-Newcastle trainee James Marwood and defender Ricky Baines who is on Macclesfield’s books.

Todd would like to take another look at Baines, who can play at right-back or centreback, but Marwood will not be signing.

Of chief importance to Todd was 65 minutes that Steve Foster successfully came through, his first action of pre-season following an ankle operation.

He reported no concerns and, barring any adverse reaction, is a certain starter for Saturday’s game at Aldershot Town.

“It’s good to have the skipper back and for him to get a good hour under his belt,”

said Todd. “That should, hopefully, put him in good stead for next week. He’s a leader, he’s a winner and it’s great to have him back.

“The backline looked very strong, including the goalkeeper, and that was important to me. We’re very close to having a good backline.

“That was the first time I’ve seen Ian Miller alongside Foster and I think they work together well, and we’ve got Matty Plummer on the sidelines too.”

After safely negotiating a shaky first 20 minutes when the non-league outfit piled forward, Quakers were rarely troubled and by half-time on a rain-soaked afternoon, Darlington were 2-0 up with Mark Convery involved in both goals From his position on the right of midfield the 28-yearold delivered the cross from which Martins tapped home close-range after Thorpe and Bradford keeper had tangled.

The second, on 33 minutes, came after a pin-point Convery cross to Thorpe was headed firmly into the net.

Todd said: “I was pleased with many aspects of the first 45 minutes. It gave me a lot of the things I was looking for, but we have to be a lot better on the ball.

“We have showed it in other games but today, for some unknown reason, we didn’t get on the ball as well as we should.

“Attacking-wise, I thought we made some good passages of play at times, especially down the right side, but we disappointed sometimes too.”

The second period featured several substitutions by both sides and featured few chances, though Thorpe wasted a golden opportunity late on.

Darlington were punished for Thorpe’s hesitancy as within a minute it was 2-1 thanks to Jorden Missin. He headed home from inside the area after a break down Darlington’s left.

Thorpe was one of only four Quakers to be given a full 90 minutes. Another was 16-year-old Paul Granger who played on the left-wing in place of the injured Jeff Smith.

He has a minor injury, while also still out of action are Josh Gray and Curtis Main.

Darlington’s squad numbers are due to be released today although several of the team were wearing their new numbers on Saturday.

Steve Foster (five) and Ian Miller (six) retain their numbers from last season, while among the new signings Chris Lumdson takes the number eight jersey, Thorpe is nine, Dean Windass will wear ten, Gary Smith is 14 and Convery 18.

DARLINGTON (4-4-2): Knight (Liversedge 65mins); Arnison (Baines 65), Miller (Williams 65), Foster Plummer 65), Bower; Convery (Marwood 65), Lumsdon (Bennett 45), G Smith, Granger; Thorpe, Martins (Windass 45). Sub (not used): Riley