Darlington were eliminated from the F.A Cup on Saturday as Barnet beat the Quakers 3-1 at Underhill in front of a small crowd of 1,654 in North London. Around 200 Darlo fans made the trip to Barnet to support their side on a cold blustery day in the capital.
Steve Staunton`s team selection surprised me as new signing Mor Diop was not included in the side despite impressing in training this week so it was Simon Thomas and James Collins who started up front for the Quakers. In midfield Darlo played a loose diamond formation with Jeff Smith playing just behind the strikers, David Davis holding in central midfield, Gary Smith on the right and Mark Convery on the left flank. Darlington`s experiment in the middle of the park was a brave move by the clubs management team given that only 1 of the 4 midfielders selected was in his natural position.
In defence youngster Corey Barnes started the game at right back with regular full back Paul Arnison being named on the bench. Barnes`s preferred position is in central midfield but the youngster will no doubt be keen to prove that he is a versatile player who can perform in alternative positions if and when required.
Moses Barnett was once again selected at left back in what could be the teenagers last appearance for Darlington. Barnett has had a steady spell on loan at the Northern Echo Arena however as the club have stated they need to move players on before they can bring any new signings in it would seem likely that the young full back could be on his way back to Merseyside this week.
Darlo had a rather youthful bench with youth team graduates Curtis Main, Josh Gray and Dan Burn named in the 18 man match day squad. It is quite possible that all of the young players at the Arena will get a chance to show they can cope with League 2 football at some point this season given the lack of depth the club currently have in their senior squad.
Darlo X1
Liversedge
Barnes Foster Miller Barnett
G.Smith Davis Convery J.Smith
Thomas Collins
Subs
Jones, Burn, Gray, Main, Diop, Arnison, Chandler
Quakers began the game quite encouragingly and they were able to match Barnet in the opening minutes of this encounter. Mark Convery was seeing quite a bit of the ball on the left hand side of midfield however the diminutive midfielder was always cutting inside on his right foot which did become a bit predictable for the home defence to track.
Left back Moses Barnett made a couple of errors early on in the game however the Quakers back 4 was able to cope with the Bees attacking play quite easily until the 18th minute when Barnet took the lead. John O`Flynn was left in acres of space on the left hand side of the area and the Irish striker was able to find the corner of the net with ease. Either one of the Darlington centre halves or right back Corey Barnes should have tracked the forwards run however no Darlo defender was anywhere near O`Flynn when the ball fell at the feet of the talented front man.
The Bees number 7 Albert Adomah was impressing on the right hand side of their midfield while the experienced ex Watford schemer Micah Hyde was controlling the middle of the park quite well for the home side. Both Simon Thomas and Mark Convery looked to get beyond the Barnet back 4 in the first half however Quakers had no real efforts of note in the first 45 minutes of this F.A Cup 1st round tie.
Neither side made any changes to personnel at half time however Darlo boss Steve Staunton may be wishing he had changed things round a little as the home side extended their lead 2 minutes into the second half. When Micah Hyde tapped in from a couple of yards out after Nick Liversedge had been unable to deal with a Paul Furlong effort on goal.
Quakers altered their approach on 53 minutes when Mor Diop and Josh Gray came on to replace Mark Convery and Jeff Smith. Darlington now went to an attacking 4-4-2 formation with Josh Gray and Simon Thomas as the wide men in midfield. The change in shape and personnel saw Darlo get more involved in the game as Mor Diop showed some nice touches shortly after coming off the bench.
James Collins forced the Bees custodian Cole to make to make a smart save after around an hour of play however it was Barnet who got the games next goal on 65 minutes when John O`Flynn got his second of the game as he headed home from close range. Despite being 3-0 down Quakers did not give up hope and Steve Staunton`s side were rewarded with around 20 minutes of the game remaining when Mor Diop found the bottom left hand corner of the net from just inside the area with a precise finish.
Both Diop and Gray impressed during their 2nd half cameo appearances and both should be included in the starting line up for the game versus Burton Albion at the Arena next weekend. Quakers did not deserve to lose this game by 2 clear goals either a draw or a tight home victory would have been a farer reflection of how this F.A Cup 1st round tie panned out. It is hoped that Darlo can build on a bright second half display when they get back to League 2 action in the coming weeks.
