Story by Kevin Luff - 10th September 2006
The football they used was breathtaking - Hodgson
Darlington manager David Hodgson was delighted with his team's 3-1 win over Peterborough United on Saturday at London Road saying that some of the football his side used was breathtaking. Quakers cruised into a three goal lead thanks to an early penalty and an excellent brace by Julian Joachim in the first half.
Inside the first two minutes Gaetano Giallanza was put into the area by a smart header by Joachim. The Swiss forward shaped to shoot but was caught from behind by Chris Plummer and the referee awarded a penalty kick which Conlon dispatched. Giallanza then played a part in setting up Joachim for his two goals. Giallanza's late sending off however means he could be missing for three games.
"We got off to a great start. Not just one but we got another one quickly and had other chances as well. I think you've got to give these players some credit because the football they used to break them down was breathtaking," said Hodgson. "Jockey (Julian Joachim) made a great run and dinked it in the corner, that is great individual skill, Gaetano (Giallanza) set him away, was involved in his second and won the penalty so he will be a miss. However Smudger (Martin Smith) is back so we loose one quality football player and replace him with another. That's what squads are about."
"We got off to a great start. Not just one but we got another one quickly and had other chances as well"
Dave Hodgson on Quakers World
Peterborough threatened at times but never really worked Sam Russell fully until the closing stages of the game. The Posh's only goal came with nine minutes left from a Darlington defensive error as Cummins left Russell stranded and Crow was on hand to poke the ball into the empty net. Hodgson admitted he never felt too worried by Peterborough as long as his team remained focused and kept their concentration.
"I never felt overly worried with Peterborough as long as we dealt with the basics that they do - long throws, direct football and free kicks," said the Darlington boss. "Deal with them and will they break you down in general play? I don't think so but that's just my opinion and it proved that and in the second half they did get a goal from general play. On a whole our players did everything right that was asked of them."
Hodgson admitted his side did ride their luck somewhat during the second half but pointed out that it was only for a short period. "Three is one of those scores that do players go out thinking they've done it? Suddenly it be one at no time at all and they are thinking hold on. We dealt with it, we rode our luck at times for fifteen minutes, Sam (Russell) made a couple of good saves, but the team we played on Friday rode it for ninety minutes. We rode it for fifteen," he said.
After being kicked and man handled around the park for much of the game Giallanza was shown a red card when he reacted to Adam Newton following a challenge by the touch-line. Hodgson says the club may well appeal against the decision.
"I don't agree with it, he didn't raise his arms. He just stood up and stuck his chest into him. I've never seen a man hit the ground from someone's chest. We'll have a look and have a chat with the referee and see if we can appeal," said Hodgson afterwards.
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