The Quakers currently find themselves in 16th place in the League Two table under Dave Hodgson, who has worked wonders over the past couple of weeks to attract a number of star names to the Williamson Motors Stadium, or to give it it’s unsponsored name, the New Stadium. Alun Armstrong has come in from Ipswich Town and Craig Hignett from Leeds United, whilst foreign talents Leandro Scartiscini and Adolfo Gregorio could soon be joined by forward Clyde Winjhard.
Last year, Darlo finished one point and one place behind the Shrimpers, partly due to Blues’ rousing 3-2 second half comeback against them in April at Roots Hall. This year promised much, with an early season draw against Yeovil Town the pick of their early results. Since then the Quakers have found life difficult, with defeats to Kidderminster Harriers and Macclesfield Town, both expected at the start of the campaign to struggle in the division, hurting the most.
Both of those were away from home, and thus far the only matches they have lost as hosts have come against Bristol Rovers (0-1) and Barnsley (0-2), the latter in the Carling Cup. They followed up the loss against the Pirates with their biggest win, 3-0 at Chester City, who were bottom at the time, but since then the northeast outfit, in the shadow of Newcastle United, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and even Hartlepool United, have failed to register a win in six attempts, the last being a 0-0 draw with Mansfield Town in the northern section of the LDV Vans Trophy, when the Stags won through 4-3 on spot-kicks.
Coca-Cola League Two |
07/08/04: Grimsby Town (h) W1-0 (Clark) 10/08/04: Yeovil Town (a) D1-1 (Clarke) 14/08/04: Kidderminster Harriers (a) L0-1 21/08/04: Bristol Rovers (h) L0-1 28/08/04: Chester City (a) W3-0 (Wainwright, Kendrick, Clarke) 30/08/04: Cambridge United (h) D1-1 (Valentine) 04/09/04: Scunthorpe United (h) D0-0 11/09/04: Rochdale (a) D1-1 (Hignett) 18/09/04: Northampton Town (h) D1-1(Hignett) 25/09/04: Macclesfield Town (a) L0-1
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F.A. Cup |
First Round draw yet to take place |
Carling Cup |
24/08/04: R1 – Barnsley (h) L0-2
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LDV Vans Trophy |
28/10/03: R1 – Mansfield Town (a) D0-0 [L3-4 on pens] |
2004/5 Records |
Matches Played: 12 (6 home, 6 away) Matches Won: 2 (1 home, 1 away) Matches Drawn: 6 (3 home, 3 away) Matches Lost: 4 (2 home, 2 away) Goals Scored: 8 (3 home, 5 away) Goals Conceded: 9 (5 home, 4 away) Sam Russell – 12 Matt Clarke – 11+1 Neil Wainwright – 8+4 Ryan Valentine – 11 Craig Russell – 10+1
Matt Clarke, Craig Hignett - 2 Ian Clark, Joe Kendrick, Ryan Valentine, Neil Wainwright - 1 |
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com