Story by Kevin Luff - 20th March 2007
Pools hold no fear for Quakers' skipper
Skipper Clark Keltie says that Darlington have absolutely no fear about facing rivals Hartlepool United this coming weekend. Quakers' neighbours have gone twenty-one games unbeaten in League Two and find themselves sitting at the submit of the division.
Darlington though are in formidable form themselves. Keltie and his team mates have yet to taste defeat in the league since the turn of the year and the Quakers' captain says that the visit of Pools hold no fear for the Darlington camp which is in buoyant mood having moved to within a point of the play-offs.
"We have got nothing to fear going into the game," said Keltie. "Hartlepool are top of the league which indicates they should be the best team in the league at the moment but on the run we are on, unbeaten in the league this year, we should have nothing to fear. The lads are full of confidence, there couldn't be a better mood in the camp at the moment. We just want to get the game started now."
Anticipation surrounding the game has been building in recent weeks with the game set to be a 10,000 sell out. However it has only been in the last few games that Darlington's players have been able to turn their attentions to the upcoming fixture.
Having clinched another crucial three points towards their play-off hopes at the expense of Hereford last weekend Dave Penney's men can finally set their sights on this latest fixture. Keltie however admits part of him wants to see an end to the talking and the start to the action.
"To be honest we just want to get the game played," said the Darlington captain. "There has been a lot of talk about the game and a lot of anticipation. We just want to get out there, get the game underway, hopefully get the three points and the fans can get on with the bragging. That's what it is all about for the fans, we understand what it means to the fans and it is up to us to give it to them but for us we are looking for the three points to try and push us into the top seven."
Both sides have plenty to play for. Quakers are on the edge of the play-offs whilst Pools harbour ambitions of bouncing back from last season's disappointing relegation from League One at the first attempt. With so much at stake for both teams Keltie knows a huge part of the derby battle will be the ability to maintain discipline.
"The lads have played in games like this before and know what is at stake and someone getting sent off in the first few minutes isn't going to help anyone," he said. "There is a lot of passion and desire from ourselves and as long as it is used in the right manner then there is no harm in it. If there is a tackle to be won we'll all there but at the same time it is important to keep our discipline. It is something the manager has stressed."
